refrain
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:
Though she and her husband may buy someday, Slagle doesn’t lean into a common refrain of previous generations that “you can’t rent forever.”
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026
In 2022, Australian Open doubles champion Nick Kyrgios complained that a fan was triggering his asthma by smoking courtside, prompting the umpire to ask supporters to refrain.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
Chief Operating Officer Lisa Roath and CFO Jim Lee echoed the refrain, pointing to traffic gains and strategy traction as “encouraging” proof points.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026
Yasukuni this week also appealed to visitors to refrain from wearing military-style uniforms so that the "general public can worship in peace and quiet at our shrine".
From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026
And for him a new refrain: I am the guard who opened the gates and let the foe march through.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
“This proposal is decidedly neutral and refrains from saying that any asset class is any better or worse than other investment types.”
From Barron's ● Mar. 30, 2026
“This proposal is decidedly neutral and refrains from saying that any asset class is any better or worse than other investment types, as the law requires,” said U.S.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 30, 2026
Along with boasting one of the most easily recallable and down-to-Earth refrains in popular music, “Kiss” has a noteworthy history.
From Salon ● Feb. 14, 2026
These were his refrains when civil-rights leaders demanded he use federal power more forcefully.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 26, 2026
Like a strange sort of choir music, one voice blending into the next, the refrains so familiar that he could have mouthed the words along with them.
From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby
While Kennedy has refrained from commenting on the current court or President Trump, he has written a memoir that tells his life story and explains the reasoning behind the major decisions of his era.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026
Laura Ingraham and Jesse Watters chose not to preview or promote the speech in the two prime hours leading up to it, and Ingraham refrained from mentioning it on her Friday, Monday and Tuesday broadcasts.
From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026
But it has refrained from fresh attacks on Israeli or Saudi targets, as Tehran seems to calibrate its policy in the region.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
Central banks refrained from aggressive tightening cycles amid economic growth, a trend which Matejka and his team do not see changing dramatically.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 6, 2026
When once you were in the grip of the Party, what you felt or did not feel, what you did or refrained from doing, made literally no difference.
From "1984" by George Orwell
Experts expect details of future potential interest-rate hikes to be kept to a minimum, owing to Warsh’s preference for refraining from issuing guidance.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 8, 2026
A spokesperson for the CHP said that, out of respect for Cano’s family and the integrity of the review process, the agency was refraining from comment until it had “thoroughly examined” the medical examiner’s report.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 24, 2026
The Palace points to the King's unprecedented moves so far – stripping Andrew of titles and home, offering assistance, and refraining in any way from seeking favour from the authorities.
From BBC ● Feb. 19, 2026
Hu's book passed the censors, with a few adaptations, sticking to social commentary and refraining from criticism.
From Barron's ● Jan. 9, 2026
If you have not as yet replied to my letter, please go on refraining.
From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger
Vocabulary lists containing refrain
List 2
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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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Reading: Literature - Poetry - Introductory
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