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.

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

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

It has been speculated that Scottish Labour could abstain - which would ensure that the Budget bill passed - after leader Anas Sarwar said his MSPs would not make the Budget fall.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2026

I told him that I intended to abstain while in exile.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin