abstain
The word “abstain” has 2 syllables: ab-stain
It's pronounced as /əbˈsteɪn/
What is synonym and antonym for abstain?
In the thesaurus, “abstain” has 45 synonyms and 27 antonyms.
Here are synonyms and antonyms for abstain along with examples of usage in sentences.
Synonyms for abstain
- abjure
- abnegate
- avoid
- cease
- constrain
- curb
- decline
- delay
- deny oneself
- do without
- eschew
- evade
- fast
- fence-sit
- forbear
- forgo
- give the go by
- give up
- go on the wagon
- halt
- hesitate
- keep from
- pass
- pass up
- quit
- refrain
- refuse
- reject
- renounce
- shilly-shally
- shun
- sit on the fence
- sit out
- spurn
- stall
- starve
- stop
- take the cure
- take the pledge
- temporize
- turn down
- vacillate
- waffle
- waver
- withhold
Antonyms for abstain
- accept
- allow
- choose
- conclude
- continue
- cull
- decide
- decree
- determine
- do
- elect
- embrace
- encourage
- face
- figure
- handpick
- indulge
- meet
- name
- opt
- pick
- prefer
- resolve
- rule
- select
- use
- want
Meanings of abstain
- verb
- Keep or withhold oneself.
- Refrain from (something or doing something); keep from doing, especially an indulgence.
- Fast (not eat for a period).
- Deliberately refrain from casting one's vote at a meeting where one is present.
- Hinder; keep back; withhold.
Example Sentences
- I've decided to abstain from eating sweets for a month to improve my health.
- As a recovering alcoholic, he made a conscious choice to abstain from drinking alcohol.
- The doctor advised her to abstain from strenuous exercise until her injury healed.
- In order to maintain objectivity, the jury members were instructed to abstain from discussing the case outside the courtroom.
- Some people choose to abstain from voting in elections as a form of protest.
On this page you'll find 72 synonyms, antonyms, or another words to abstain, such as: abjure, abnegate, accept, allow, avoid, cease, choose.
Make sure to choose synonyms and antonyms that are appropriate for the context of the sentence.
Related Words
abjure
- abandon
- abnegate
- abstain from
- avoid
- back down
- back off
- backtrack
- bolt
- buck
- check
- combat
- constrain
- contradict
- controvert
- curb
- deny
- disallow
- disavow
- disclaim
- disown
- disprove
- dispute
- eschew
- fight
- forbear
- forego
- foreswear
- forgo
- forsake
- forswear
- gainsay
- give up
- inhibit
- negate
- negative
- rebut
- recall
- recant
- refuse
- refute
- reject
- relinquish
- renege
- renounce
- repeal
- repudiate
- retract
- revoke
- shun
- spurn
- surrender
- take back
- unsay
- withdraw
abnegate
- abandon
- abdicate
- abjure
- abstain
- back down
- back off
- backtrack
- bolt
- cede
- contradict
- controvert
- decline
- demit
- deny
- desert
- disallow
- disavow
- disclaim
- disown
- disprove
- dispute
- forbear
- foreswear
- forgo
- forsake
- forswear
- gainsay
- give up
- hand over
- negate
- negative
- quit
- rebut
- recall
- recant
- refrain
- refute
- reject
- relinquish
- renege
- renounce
- repeal
- repudiate
- resign
- retract
- revoke
- spurn
- surrender
- take back
- unsay
- vacate
- waive
- withdraw
- yield
abstention
- abnegation
- abstaining
- abstinence
- asceticism
- austerity
- avoidance
- constraint
- control
- discipline
- eschewal
- forbearance
- frugality
- middle-of-the-roadism
- moderateness
- moderation
- mortification
- non-indulgence
- rationality
- rationalness
- reasonability
- reasonableness
- restraint
- sacrifice
- self-command
- self-containment
- self-control
- self-denial
- self-discipline
- self-mastery
- self-restraint
- sensibility
- sensibleness
- soberness
- sobriety
- teetotalism
- temperance
- temperateness
abstinence
- abnegation
- abstaining
- abstemiousness
- asceticism
- austerity
- avoidance
- celibacy
- chasteness
- chastity
- cherry
- continence
- control
- discipline
- fasting
- forbearance
- frugality
- honor
- innocence
- moderation
- modesty
- purity
- refraining
- renunciation
- restraint
- self-abnegation
- self-command
- self-control
- self-denial
- self-discipline
- self-mastery
- self-restraint
- soberness
- sobriety
- teetotalism
- temperance
- virginity
- virtue
abstinent
- abstaining
- abstemious
- abstentious
- ascetic
- ascetical
- austere
- balanced
- bearable
- bridled
- calm
- careful
- cautious
- celibate
- clear-headed
- cold sober
- compromising
- conforming
- conservative
- considerate
- considered
- continent
- controlled
- cool
- curbed
- deliberate
- disciplined
- dispassionate
- dry
- drying out
- equable
- even
- free of alcohol
- frugal
- gentle
- impartial
- inconsiderable
- inexpensive
- inhibited
- judicious
- limited
- low-key
- measured
- middle-of-the-road
- midway
- mild
- moderate
- moderating
- modest
- monotonous
- moral
- neutral
- nondrinker
- nonindulgent
- nonpartisan
- not drinking
- not drunk
- not excessive
- not extreme
- not partaking of alcohol
- on the wagon
- one who is on the wagon
- pacific
- peaceable
- period of abstinence
- pleasant
- priggish
- prim
- prissy
- prohibitionist
- prudish
- puritanical
- reasonable
- reserved
- restrained
- rigid
- sedate
- self-abnegating
- self-controlled
- self-denying
- self-disciplined
- self-governed
- self-possessed
- self-restrained
- self-restraining
- serious
- sober
- soft
- sparing
- spartan
- steady
- stern
- stone cold sober
- straight
- strict
- stuffy
- sworn off
- tame
- teetotaler
- teetotalist
- temperance advocate
- temperate
- tolerable
- tolerant
- took the pledge
- tranquil
- unintoxicated
- untroubled
- water-drinker