abstainverb [ I ]
uk/æbˈsteɪn/us/æbˈsteɪn/abstain verb [ I ] (NOT DO)
to not do something, especially something enjoyable that you think might be bad:
He took a vow to abstain from alcohol/smoking/sex.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Abstaining and refraining
- abstemious
- abstention
- abstinence
- back off
- beg off
- fast
- give
- give (sth) up
- give up sth
- hors de combat
- keep
- keep (sb/sth) out of sth
- not be in the business of sth idiom
- refrain
- step back
- stop
- stop short of sth idiom
- swear off sth
- touch
- wouldn't touch sth with a barge pole idiom
See more results »
abstain verb [ I ] (NOT VOTE)
to decide not to use your vote:
63 members voted in favour, 39 opposed, and 15 abstained.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Elections
- absentee ballot
- absentee vote
- absolute majority
- abstention
- aye
- ballot
- franchise
- general election
- gerrymandering
- go to the country idiom
- hat
- nominate
- rigging
- safe
- scrutineer
- secret ballot
- show of hands
- spoil
- stump
- vote of confidence
See more results »
abstain verb [ I ] (STAY AWAY)
Indian English to stay away from work:
During a recent general strike, employees of all major trade unions abstained.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Industrial action
- blackleg
- cooling-off period
- demarcation dispute
- direct action
- down tools idiom
- lightning strike
- lock
- lock sb out
- lockout
- pay claim
- picket
- picket line
- strike
- strike pay
- strikebreaker
- sympathy
- walk
- walk out
- walkout
- wildcat strike
See more results »
abstainer
noun [ C ] uk/æbˈsteɪ.nər/us/æbˈsteɪ.nɚ/