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Definitions

abstain

[ab-stayn] / æbˈsteɪn /


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.

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Latvia had initially opposed the move, but decided to abstain, announcing instead that it would impose its own measures on the two men.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026

"We must intensify efforts to help people quit tobacco use, avoid cancer-linked infections, abstain from alcohol, maintain a healthy weight, and get more daily exercise."

From Science Daily ● Sep. 7, 2026

Mayra Goulart, political science professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, told AFP the main challenge for Lula and Flavio will be to reach "disengaged voters" who are highly likely to abstain.

From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026

Such “orphaned” voters — those left without a candidate of their party in a general election — are historically just as likely to abstain from voting or to vote based on far less strategic considerations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026

Better to abstain from the gardens of delectable delights than to be stuck planting them, dawn to dusk.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez

He, too, said he abstains from getting involved due to the damage illegal mining does to the land, especially as a result of the chemicals used for extracting gold.

From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026

Even if Warsh abstains again, the other 18 senior Fed members are all expected to submit their own dots.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

He clarified that this could mean that the party abstains on any vote for the next first minister after the 2026 Holyrood election.

From BBC ● Apr. 20, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 26, 2024

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

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

During that meeting, Mitchell abstained from a vote to put the item on the ballot.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

In Caracas, some opposition lawmakers abstained from the show-of-hands vote to approve the US deal, arguing that they should be able to view the written terms before making a decision.

From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026

Mediobanca—itself Assicurazioni Generali’s top shareholder—last year saw an offer for Banca Generali derailed by its own investors, who failed to approve the move after a top shareholder abstained from the vote.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

In March, a resolution was passed at the United Nations recognising slavery as "the greatest crime against humanity" - though the United States voted against the resolution and every European nation abstained from the vote.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

She could have made an inquiry or two, as to the expedition and the expense of the Irish mails;—it was at her tongue’s end—but she abstained.

From "Emma" by Jane Austen

Some Americans are abstaining for health and wellness reasons, others because of cost.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

He received a long ovation after getting 132 votes, with no member voting against him and one abstaining, according to the session's presiding member Ismael Diallo.

From Barron's ● May 26, 2026

Members of the Senedd voted on Tuesday 39 to 10 to bring in the ban, with two MSs abstaining.

From BBC ● Mar. 21, 2026

Could anyone really be blamed for wanting to avoid even more pain and heartbreak by abstaining from dating altogether?

From Salon ● Dec. 17, 2025

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


Vocabulary lists containing abstain

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