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abstain

[ab-stayn] / æbˈsteɪn /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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Latvia had initially opposed the move, but decided to abstain, announcing instead that it would impose its own measures on the two men.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026

Some said they plan to abstain; others said they’ll hold their nose and vote.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

"We must intensify efforts to help people quit tobacco use, avoid cancer-linked infections, abstain from alcohol, maintain a healthy weight, and get more daily exercise."

From Science Daily ● Sep. 7, 2026

Mayra Goulart, political science professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, told AFP the main challenge for Lula and Flavio will be to reach "disengaged voters" who are highly likely to abstain.

From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026

Though I follow the rules and routines of convent life, Angelina will not allow me to abstain from meat, as the sisters do.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

He, too, said he abstains from getting involved due to the damage illegal mining does to the land, especially as a result of the chemicals used for extracting gold.

From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026

Even if Warsh abstains again, the other 18 senior Fed members are all expected to submit their own dots.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

He clarified that this could mean that the party abstains on any vote for the next first minister after the 2026 Holyrood election.

From BBC ● Apr. 20, 2025

Like Trump, the former vice president has pointed to alcoholism in his family in explaining why he abstains.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 10, 2020

I wonder why Therese abstains from food, though she is not bound by the nun’s vows.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Botelho said Lula will attempt to rally those who cast blank votes, and the 33 million who abstained -- representing 21 percent of registered voters.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

Mediobanca—itself Assicurazioni Generali’s top shareholder—last year saw an offer for Banca Generali derailed by its own investors, who failed to approve the move after a top shareholder abstained from the vote.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

As an MP in 2015, Burnham abstained on another effort to legalise assisted dying.

From BBC ● Jun. 14, 2026

Supervisors Kathryn Barger, Janice Hahn and Holly Mitchell abstained from voting on the motion to extend the protection, while Supervisors Hilda Solis and Horvath supported it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2026

More than a third of the senators abstained from voting.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Some Americans are abstaining for health and wellness reasons, others because of cost.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

In his view, they can "bring young people back to politics", especially those particularly prone to abstaining from voting.

From Barron's ● Jun. 3, 2026

In 2020, Milan Township passed an ordinance that would allow the project to go forward, with Heath’s brother, the township supervisor, abstaining.

From Salon ● Apr. 27, 2026

Although she did not agree a deal for the new budget Jane Dodds, the Welsh Liberal Democrat leader and the party's only MS, said she would also be abstaining on the budget.

From BBC ● Jan. 27, 2026

I remember reading about Pythagoras around this time, and finding some of his ideas curiously appealing—wearing white garments, for instance, or abstaining from foods which have a soul.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt


Vocabulary lists containing abstain

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