abstain

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abstain Of the 83 senators submitting votes at the June meeting, 58% voted yes, 35% voted no and 7% abstained, according to The Denver Clarion, DU’s student newspaper. Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025 Their 'Good Intentions' mocktail, a symphony of Tennyson N/A Spirit, strawberries and floral flair, is a refreshing slap in the face to those who think abstaining means bland. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 If it's caught in time, fat and scarring in the liver can be reversed by abstaining from alcohol, German said. Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 4 July 2025 The operating and capital budgets passed on the same margins (McCraney abstained from the capital budget vote due to her relationship with Simmons College of Kentucky). Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for abstain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstain
Verb
  • The Yankees’ lineup, meanwhile, didn’t put up a fight against Spencer Strider, who refused to surrender a run, walked three and struck out eight over six innings.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 July 2025
  • Bondi earlier this week refused to answer questions from reporters about the Epstein files.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2025
Verb
  • If anyone else tries such commands, the AGI and ASI reject them summarily.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • New York’s 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Maxwell’s appeal effort last year, finding that the deal drawn up in 2007 and approved the following year only protected Epstein and his coconspirators in South Florida.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Many developers may decide to turn down new projects rather than trying to race against the regulatory clock.
    Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
  • People with narcissistic behaviors need that attention, Pullan says, and making sure someone like Trump feels heard can help turn down the pressure in a conversation.
    Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 16 July 2025
Verb
  • Many third-party managers hesitate to adopt centralized models, citing concerns about disruption or owner pushback.
    Tyler Christiansen, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
  • Social media users didn't hesitate to share their thoughts on the eBay sale.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 17 July 2025
Verb
  • Romney's Cass took Obama to task for opposing development of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge and for temporizing on the Keystone pipeline, while Obama's Aldy accused Romney of being insensitive to the environment and to the needs and desires of future generations.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 9 Oct. 2012
  • Accompanying these principles must be a rejection of the impulse to temporize about the dangers that confront us and a rejection of the bizarre deprecation of our nation and civilization.
    Peter J. Travers, National Review, 29 Mar. 2022

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“Abstain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstain. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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