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

Need another word that means the same as “refrain”? Find 7 synonyms and 30 related words for “refrain” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Refrain” are: forbear, abstain, desist, hold back, stop oneself, withhold, chorus

Refrain as a Noun

Definitions of "Refrain" as a noun

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

• The part of a song where a soloist is joined by a group of singers.

Synonyms of "Refrain" as a noun (1 Word)

chorus

A section of text spoken by the chorus in drama. Strong guitar driven songs with big big choruses.

Refrain as a Verb

Definitions of "Refrain" as a verb

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

• Stop oneself from doing something.
• Resist doing something.
• Choose not to consume.

Synonyms of "Refrain" as a verb (6 Words)

abstain	Restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something. Forty one voted with the Opposition and some sixty more abstained.
desist	Choose not to consume. Each pledged to desist from acts of sabotage.
forbear	Refrain from doing. She could not forbear weeping.
hold back	To close within bounds limit or hold back from movement.
stop oneself	Stop and wait, as if awaiting further instructions or developments.
withhold	Hold back; refuse to hand over or share. Elizabeth could no longer withhold her sentiments.

Usage Examples of "Refrain" as a verb

• She refrained from comment.
• He refrained from hitting him back.

Associations of "Refrain" (30 Words)

abstain	Restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something. She intends to abstain from sex before marriage.
ascetic	Pertaining to or characteristic of an ascetic or the practice of rigorous self discipline. Ascetic practices.
continence	Self-restraint, especially with regard to sex. You can improve your continence by strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor.
economy	A particular system or stage of an economy. A free market economy.
forbear	Refrain from doing or using (something. She could not forbear weeping.
frugal	Avoiding waste. A frugal meal.
frugality	The quality of being economical with money or food; thriftiness. He scorned the finer things in life and valued frugality and simplicity.
grudging	(of a person) reluctant or resentfully unwilling to give or allow something. A grudging admirer.
limit	Set or serve as a limit to. The failure showed the limits of British power.
measly	Contemptibly small in amount. A measly tip.
miser	A stingy hoarder of money and possessions often living miserably. A typical miser he hid his money in the house in various places.
miserly	(of a quantity) pitiably small or inadequate. The prize for the winner will be a miserly 3 500.
moderation	The action of lessening in severity or intensity. Coursework may need to be filed separately for the purposes of moderation.
niggard	Ungenerous niggardly.
niggardly	In a mean or meagre manner. A niggardly shoestring budget.
parsimonious	Excessively unwilling to spend. Even the parsimonious Joe paid for drinks all round.
parsimony	Extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources. A great tradition of public design has been shattered by government parsimony.
patience	Any of various forms of card game for one player, the object of which is to use up all one’s cards by forming particular arrangements and sequences. You can find bargains if you have the patience to sift through the rubbish.
restrain	Place limits on (extent or access. All front seats must be equipped with seat belts which restrain the upper part of the body.
restrict	Place under restrictions limit access to by law. Some roads may have to be closed at peak times to restrict the number of visitors.
scrimp	Be thrifty or parsimonious; economize. Scratch and scrimp.
skimp	Limit in quality or quantity. Don t skimp on insurance when you book your holidays.
stinginess	A lack of generosity; a general unwillingness to part with money.
stingy	Mean; ungenerous. She practices economy without being stingy.
stint	An individual’s prescribed share of work. His varied career included a stint as a magician.
thriftiness	Frugality in the expenditure of money or resources.
tightwad	A miserly person. He is a notorious tightwad.
uncharitable	(of a person’s behaviour or attitude towards others) unkind; unsympathetic. All pious words and uncharitable deeds.
understatement	A statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said. To say I am delighted is an understatement.
withhold	Refuse to give (something that is due to or is desired by another. My employer is withholding taxes.