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refrain from

VERB
beware
Synonyms
STRONGEST
heed take care
STRONG
attend avoid mind notice shun
WEAK
be cautious be wary guard against keep eyes open keep on one's toes keep one's distance look out mind p's and q's steer clear of take heed walk on eggs watch one's step watch out
Antonyms
STRONG
disregard face ignore meet neglect
WEAK
court invite risk take on
VERB
cut out
Synonyms
STRONGEST
carve delete eliminate extract pull out sever
WEAK
cease displace exclude exsect extirpate give up oust stop supersede supplant usurp
Antonyms
STRONGEST
add put in
WEAK
include
VERB
discontinue
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abandon break off cease give up halt interrupt quit suspend terminate
STRONG
close desist disconnect disjoin dissever disunite drop end finish interpose intervene kill part pause scrub separate stop
WEAK
bag it blow off call it quits give over knock off leave off put an end to surcease
Antonyms
STRONGEST
begin complete continue go initiate start
STRONG
bear commence connect create give birth join restart unite
WEAK
carry on retry
VERB
spare
Synonyms
STRONGEST
excuse exempt leave pardon
STRONG
absolve discharge dispense forbear pity release relent spring
WEAK
bail out be lenient be merciful get off the hook get out of hock give a break give quarter to go easy on let go let off privilege from pull out of the fire relieve from save bacon save from save neck
VERB
waive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abandon allow defer forgo grant hand over postpone put off reject relinquish remove renounce set aside shelve surrender suspend turn over
STRONG
cede delay disclaim disown leave neglect prorogue remit renege reserve resign stay table yield
WEAK
dispense with hold off hold up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approve carry out continue deny do expedite forward hold keep refuse retain take
STRONG
accept acknowledge advance claim go guard

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.

HBO has asked journalists to refrain from spoiling specific jokes, revealing certain gags, or mentioning guest stars that haven’t been announced or confirmed in photos.

From Salon • Jun. 26, 2026

Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty urged people to "refrain from speculation online" and said police were treating it as a "critical incident".

From BBC • Jun. 19, 2026

Some online businesses hesitate about telling customers about low inventory, fearful they might shop elsewhere or refrain from buying anything else on their website.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

"Albania should refrain from any action that could jeopardise the fulfilment of the closing benchmarks, and we expect the Albanian authorities to act without delay."

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

I refrain from looking at my blotchy self in the mirror.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali

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