ABSTAIN: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for ABSTAIN?

Need another word that means the same as “abstain”? Find 11 synonyms and 30 related words for “abstain” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Abstain” are: desist, refrain, hold back, forbear, keep, be teetotal, be a teetotaller, take the pledge, not vote, decline to vote, refuse to vote

Abstain as a Verb

Definitions of "Abstain" as a verb

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “abstain” as a verb can have the following definitions:

• Refrain from drinking alcohol.
• Choose not to consume.
• Restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something.
• Formally decline to vote either for or against a proposal or motion.
• Refrain from voting.

Synonyms of "Abstain" as a verb (11 Words)

be a teetotaller	Happen, occur, take place.
be teetotal	Have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun.
decline to vote	Grow worse.
desist	Choose not to consume. Each pledged to desist from acts of sabotage.
forbear	Politely or patiently restrain an impulse to do something; refrain. Rebecca could not forbear a smile.
hold back	To close within bounds limit or hold back from movement.
keep	Look after be the keeper of have charge of. Keep count.
not vote	Bring into existence or make available by vote.
refrain	Choose not to consume. He refrained from hitting him back.
refuse to vote	Refuse entrance or membership.
take the pledge	Experience or feel or submit to.

Usage Examples of "Abstain" as a verb

• Forty-one voted with the Opposition, and some sixty more abstained.
• I abstain from alcohol.
• She intends to abstain from sex before marriage.
• Most pregnant women abstain or drink very little.

Associations of "Abstain" (30 Words)

abdicate	Give up, such as power, as of monarchs and emperors, or duties and obligations. Ferdinand abdicated the throne in favour of the emperor s brother.
abjure	Solemnly renounce (a belief, cause, or claim. She abjured her beliefs.
abstention	The trait of abstaining (especially from alcohol. A resolution passed by 126 votes to none with six abstentions.
ballot	Vote by ballot. He won 54 per cent of the ballot.
cease	Cease is a noun only in the phrase without cease end. They were asked to cease all military activity.
cede	Relinquish possession or control over. In 1874 the islands were ceded to Britain.
choice	One of a number of things from which only one can be chosen. I had to do it I had no choice.
dereliction	A tendency to be negligent and uncaring. A gross dereliction of duty by the Secretary of State.
elect	Select by a vote for an office or membership. An elect circle of artists.
election	The act of selecting someone or something; the exercise of deliberate choice. Her election of medicine as a profession.
elector	In the US a member of the electoral college. Close to 60 per cent of the 60 000 registered electors voted.
foreswear	Turn away from; give up. I am foreswearing women forever.
forgo	Go without (something desirable. We forgo any comparison between the two men.
forswear	Agree to give up or do without. I swore that I would lead us safely home and I do not mean to be forsworn.
give	Give or supply. For your entertainment this evening I give you Mister Albert DeNero.
hustings	The activities involved in political campaigning (especially speech making. Mrs Jones organized two public hustings.
presidency	A council of three officers forming the highest administrative body in Latter-day Saints (Mormon) Churches. The presidency of the United States.
president	The celebrant at a Eucharist. The president of the European Union.
quit	Leave (a place), usually permanently. I want to quit smoking.
refrain	The part of a song where a soloist is joined by a group of singers. She refrained from comment.
relinquish	Do without or cease to hold or adhere to. He relinquished his managerial role to become chief executive.
renounce	Leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily. He renounced alcohol completely.
resign	Voluntarily leave a job or office. The chairman resigned over the financial scandal.
surrender	The action of surrendering to an opponent or powerful influence. She surrendered only twenty games in her five qualifying matches.
unanimity	Agreement by all people involved; consensus. There is almost complete unanimity on this issue.
vote	Express one s preference for a candidate or for a measure or resolution cast a vote. They are ready to put it to a vote.
voting	A choice that is made by counting the number of people in favor of each alternative.
waive	Refrain from insisting on or using (a right or claim. Her tuition fees would be waived.
withhold	Hold back; refuse to hand over or share. Her mouth clenched as if withholding a cry.
yield	Be the cause or source of. The door yielded to repeated blows with a battering ram.