refrain

nounchorus of musical piece

verbdo without; keep from doing

Word Origin & History

mid-14c., from Old French refraigner "restrain, repress, keep in check" (12c., Modern French Réfréner), from Latin refrenare "to bridle, hold in with a bit, check, curb, keep down, control," from re- "back" (see re-) + frenare "restrain, furnish with a bridle," from frenum "a bridle." Related: Refrained; refraining.

Example Sentences for refrain

He could not refrain from showing his satisfaction with Evelyn.

Notwithstanding her firm determination to forget him, she could not refrain from questioning them about him.

I could not refrain from whispering, "Don't cry—I am alive."

These mince pies may be eaten by persons who refrain from meat in Lent.

I am free to resume my interrupted flight of fancy, but I refrain.

It was like the beginning of a refrain which broke off suddenly and was repeated.

A few took up the refrain, but the general tone was negative.

Pierre could not refrain from laughing, he thought the remark so peculiar.

And so the deputy could not refrain from referring to his own anxiety.

At this Pierre could not refrain from a dolorous and vivacious interruption.

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Synonyms for refrain

noun chorus of musical piece

Antonyms for refrain

silence

refrain

Synonyms for refrain

Antonyms for refrain

More words related to refrain

abnegate

abstain

abstaining

catchword

cease

ceased

refrain

Synonyms for refrain

Antonyms for refrain

More words related to refrain

.css-1unrqcp{color:inherit;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}abnegate

abstain

abstaining

catchword

cease

ceased

abnegate