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abstain Definition

ab·stain (ab stān′, əb-)

intransitive verb

to hold oneself back; voluntarily do without; refrain (from) to abstain from smoking

Etymology: ME absteinen < OFr abstenir < L abstinere, to hold back < ab(s)-, from + tenere, to hold: see tenant

abstain Related Forms

ab·stain′er noun

abstain Synonyms

abstain

v.

refrain, forbear, renounce, desist, forgo, withhold, avoid, stop, deny oneself, hold aloof from, keep aloof from, eschew, refuse, decline, spare, hold back, shun, evade, cease, dispense with, do without, go without, fast, starve oneself, teetotal, not touch, have nothing to do with, let alone, let well enough alone, do nothing, keep from, keep one's hands off, stay one's hand, withhold oneself from, restrain oneself, exercise self-restraint, turn aside from, abjure, swear off*, lay off*, pass up*, turn over a new leaf*, have no hand in*, take the pledge*, get on the water wagon*, (just) say no*.

Antonyms indulge, join*, gorge.

abstain implies voluntary self-denial or the deliberate giving up of something to abstain from alcohol; refrain usually suggests the curbing of a passing impulse in keeping oneself from saying or doing something although provoked, she refrained from answering; forbear suggests self-restraint manifesting a patient endurance under provocation to forbear venting one's wrath

abstain Usage Examples

Object

tenant: He then proceeded to order the abstaining joint tenant to serve a counter-notice.

Preposition: on

  • resolution: A " Vote Withheld " option is provided on the form of proxy which enables a member to abstain on any particular resolution.
  • vote: Most Labor MPs, including the whole front bench, then abstained on the substantive vote.
  • issue: It passed as practically every regional rep voted in favor of it and I sneakily asked for the NEC to abstain on the issue!

Preposition: because

resolution: Algeria abstained because the resolution appeared to put forward new definitions, and was not really a new agenda.

Modifying Another Word

  • totally: I have heard and read that unless the patient abstains totally, then further brain damage will be caused.
  • completely: Members were also instructed to completely abstain from all drugs.
  • then: Most Labor MPs, including the whole front bench, then abstained on the substantive vote.
  • only: I only abstain from doing them any good, in the full belief that we ought not to cherish serpents.
  • not: People who do not abstain should do everything possible to reduce risk, including using condoms.

Used with why or when

when: I am not a woman, so perhaps I should abstain when it comes to abortion issues?

Preposition: in

  • vote: The Conservative group will abstain in the vote on the Government's final budget today.
  • election: And who can blame the 30 % or 40 % who subsequently abstain in national elections.

Preposition: from

  • akusala: When there is an opportunity to abstain from akusala, only one type of virati arises at a time.
  • voting: By the way the sparks abstained from voting at the March 11th meeting.
  • intercourse: Abstain from sexual intercourse; or Use a latex condom properly, every time you have sexual intercourse, with every partner.
  • lust: Peter amplified the warning: " Abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul " ( 2 Peter 2:11 ).
  • alcohol: Yes: 30 No: 3 2 ) Should schools expect all children to abstain from alcohol at all times?
  • meat: Actually, the prohibition to abstain from meat has been lifted.