abstain

[ ab-steyn ]

verb (used without object)

1. to hold oneself back voluntarily, especially from something regarded as improper or unhealthy (usually followed by from ):

   to abstain from eating meat.

   Synonyms: cease, desist, forbear

   Antonyms: indulge

2. to refrain from casting one's vote:

   a referendum in which two delegates abstained.

abstain

/ əbˈsteɪn /

verb

1. to choose to refrain

   he abstained from alcohol

2. to refrain from voting, esp in a committee, legislature, etc

Derived Forms

• abˈstainer, noun

Other Words From

• nonab·staining adjective
• over·ab·stain verb (used without object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of abstain¹

1350–1400; Middle English abste ( i ) nen < Middle French abstenir ≪ Latin abstinēre, equivalent to abs- abs- + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre to hold, keep

Word History and Origins

Origin of abstain¹

C14: via Old French from Latin abstinēre, from abs- ab- ¹+ tenēre to hold, keep

Example Sentences

Practising Sikhs and Jains are also vegetarians and abstain from alcohol.

From BBC

Among the Academic Senate’s 44 members, who represent about 4,500 faculty, 21 supported the censure motion, seven opposed and six abstained.

From Los Angeles Times

And while the presidential fever broke the farther west I traveled, of the more than 200 people I spoke with, not one of them said they were going to abstain from voting.

From Salon

Speaking to Michael Gove for a new Radio 4 podcast, Baroness Foster explained why she had chosen to abstain on the vote.

From BBC

In September, he offered money to convince “as many people as possible” to vote No or to abstain in the EU referendum.

From BBC

Related Words

• cease
• forgo
• pass up
• quit
• refrain
• renounce
• shun
• withhold