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.