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ab·stain
 abstain
- pronunciation:
 b
steIn
| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
abstained, abstaining, abstains |
| definition 1: |
to choose to refrain from something, esp. from actions or things considered to be unhealthy or unwise.
She generally abstains from alcohol, but she indulged in a glass of champagne on this occasion.The dress was indeed unflattering, but he abstained from giving his opinion.- synonyms:
- forbear, refrain, withhold
- antonyms:
- indulge, overindulge, partake
- similar words:
- decline, desist, fast, keep, quit, teetotal
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| definition 2: |
in parliamentary process, to refrain from casting a vote.
The senator was expected to vote in favor of the measure, but instead he abstained.- antonyms:
- vote
- similar words:
- decline, forbear, refrain, withhold
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| related words: |
sober |
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