Meaning & use
abstaining
Last updated
Deliberately choosing not to do or take part in something, especially out of self-restraint or principle.
See it in a sentence
He's been abstaining from alcohol for six months.
Three council members abstained from voting on the controversial measure.
A note on using this word
Frequently used in the context of voting, abstaining rather than voting yes or no, or of giving up a habit or indulgence.
Words with a similar meaning
refrainingforgoing
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
indulgingparticipating
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