abstentionnoun
uk/æbˈsten.ʃən/us/æbˈsten.ʃən/abstention noun (NOT VOTING)
[ C or U ] the fact of not voting in favour of or against someone or something:
There were high levels of abstention (from voting) in the last elections.
There were ten votes in favour, six against, and three abstentions.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Elections
- absentee ballot
- absentee vote
- absolute majority
- abstain
- 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
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abstention noun (NOT DOING)
[ U ] formal not doing something, such as drinking alcohol or having sex:
Abstention from alcohol is essential while you are taking this medication.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Abstaining and refraining
- abstain
- abstemious
- 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
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