Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
Intermediate Dictionary
     
Lookup History
abstain

ab·stain

abstain

 
 
pronunciation:
b steIn
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Word Parts
part of speech: verb
inflections: abstains, abstaining, abstained
definition 1: to choose not to do something.
He abstained from dessert because he had eaten too much already.
antonyms:
indulge
similar words:
decline, fast, keep, quit
definition 2: to choose not to take part in a decision.
She abstained from voting in the election.
antonyms:
vote
similar words:
decline, withhold
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
Word PartsSubscriber feature About this feature