i Register
In some senses, abstain is marked as obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.
abstain
/əbˈsteɪn/
verb 5
Collocations
5ADJ.
hostile, patient, right
VERB + ABSTAIN
advised, can't, concerned, decided, doubt, parties, told, tries
ABSTAIN + NOUN
alcohol, ignorance, wine
PREP.
from, out
ADV.
usually
Definitions
verb
1
Keep or withhold oneself.
2
Refrain from (something or doing something); keep from doing, especially an indulgence.
In order to improve his health, Rob decided to abstain from smoking.
Who abstains from meat that is not gaunt?
3
Refrain from (something or doing something); keep from doing, especially an indulgence.
… she had made Bunting abstain very early in their acquaintance. … Glad she was now that he had taken the pledge as a younger man; but for that nothing would have kept him from the drink during the bad times they had gone through.
4
Fast (not eat for a period).
5
Deliberately refrain from casting one's vote at a meeting where one is present.
I abstain from this vote, as I have no particular preference.
[…]forcing a small portion of the population to abstain from voting
Thesaurus
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
In order to improve his health, Rob decided to abstain from smoking.
Wiktionary02
Who abstains from meat that is not gaunt?
Wiktionary03
The Security Council […] calls upon all Governments and authorities, without prejudice to the rights, claims or positions of the parties concerned, to abstain from any hostile military action in Pales
Wiktionary04
Athletes usually abstain from smoking.
Tatoeba · #2654205
The doctor advised him to abstain from drinking.
Tatoeba · #2793406
The doctor has ordered the patient to abstain from wine.
Tatoeba · #27998Usage Notes
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