abstain

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.

European diplomats said it had been unclear until shortly before the vote whether Washington would again abstain or oppose it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 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

The basics of a no-spend—or low-spend, depending on your personal definition—challenge are just that: for a predetermined period of time, you abstain from nonessential purchases.

From Salon • Jan. 11, 2026

The National Farmers Union, which opposes the changes, had urged Labour MPs to abstain to put pressure on ministers to water down the plans.

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

The couple had made few friends during their time in the state, making it easier to abstain from the life of town.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead