refrain from

Jump To:

beware v.
cut out v.
discontinue v.
spare v.
waive v.

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.

See Examples For:

refrain from

It said Spain would refrain from imposing its border checks if Italy ended its own controls.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026

Instead, call a healthcare provider immediately and refrain from going to a healthcare facility without calling first.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

Booker added: "We would urge people to please avoid the area where possible to allow emergency services to work efficiently and safely, and refrain from speculating on the circumstances of the incident."

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

"At this time, we have very limited information and ask that everyone respect the privacy of Kaylee's family and refrain from sharing or speculating about the circumstances surrounding the accident."

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

I refrain from saying how I usually clear out of the house whenever she's treating anything worse than a cold.

From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

refrain from

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Related Words