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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.

See Examples For:

To pay my respect, I ate not only for myself but my whole family, whose allergies and aversions led them to abstain.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026

Some said they plan to abstain; others said they’ll hold their nose and vote.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 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

But I have jus enough sense left to abstain.

From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

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

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

Like Trump, the former vice president has pointed to alcoholism in his family in explaining why he abstains.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 10, 2020

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

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Fourteen of the CDU's state MPs took part in the vote, but only five of them abstained as planned, and one unconfirmed report suggested four may have backed Rausch.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

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

When he was previously an MP he abstained from a 2015 vote on another bill to legalise assisted dying because of concerns over safeguards and people feeling under pressure.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

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

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull

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

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

Senedd members voted to bring in the ban by 39 votes to 10, with two MSs abstaining.

From BBC ● Mar. 17, 2026

I remember reading about Pythagoras around this time, and finding some of his ideas curiously appealing—wearing white garments, for instance, or abstaining from foods which have a soul.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt


Vocabulary lists containing abstain

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