abstain

Whatever Evie’s goals, it’s unlikely the issue will lead its readers to actually abstain until marriage.

From Salon ● May 8, 2026

It was to protect worshippers that Israel had asked people of all faiths to "temporarily abstain" from worshipping at all the holy sites in Jerusalem's Old City, he added.

From Barron's ● Mar. 29, 2026

“Arbitrators aren’t elected, they’re not required to weigh countywide trade-offs like homeless services, healthcare, capital improvements, all of those things,” said Supervisor Holly Mitchell, the only supervisor to abstain from the vote.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 11, 2026

Coffee wasn’t a choice: Tanner is Mormon, and adherents traditionally abstain.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 5, 2026

Though I follow the rules and routines of convent life, Angelina will not allow me to abstain from meat, as the sisters do.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Recently persuaded by her teen daughter, Mae, to join social media, Hahn abstains from reading the comments.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 26, 2024

Abby now abstains from video sites and TV, Maggie uses library computers for online access, and Sophia's sponsor keeps her in check when she needs to use the internet.

From BBC ● Feb. 7, 2024

“It’s hard. There aren’t enough places,” Archiopoli said, noting that Seattle has a growing segment of population that abstains from alcohol or drugs.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 20, 2023

"But the truth is we know relatively little from this 50%, from this half of the population that abstains from electoral processes."

From Reuters ● Sep. 2, 2022

I wonder why Therese abstains from food, though she is not bound by the nun’s vows.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Norway's football federation abstained and argued the bidding process undermined "Fifa's reforms for good governance" and challenged "trust in Fifa".

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

While they released the letter spelling out their dissent, the Fed clarified that Bowman had abstained from the vote.

From Barron's ● May 15, 2026

On 7 April, Pakistan abstained from a UN Security Council resolution urging states to coordinate efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

From BBC ● Apr. 10, 2026

Supervisor Kathryn Barger abstained from the vote, arguing the county could not address the death rate without building a new facility.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 3, 2026

Apparently the protections of the treaty were quite strong for those who totally abstained from magic and mischief.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull

In 2020, Milan Township passed an ordinance that would allow the project to go forward, with Heath’s brother, the township supervisor, abstaining.

From Salon ● Apr. 27, 2026

Most voters our columnist spoke with are following the new rule to watch everything, or abstaining from certain categories.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 13, 2026

Although she did not agree a deal for the new budget Jane Dodds, the Welsh Liberal Democrat leader and the party's only MS, said she would also be abstaining on the budget.

From BBC ● Jan. 27, 2026

The tally was 29-0 for approval, with Gilbert’s Cavaliers abstaining.

From Barron's ● Jan. 16, 2026

Even when Ramadan arrived during the season and I had to play volleyball and fence while fasting from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from food and water, I still didn’t want to quit.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad