refrainverb [ I ]
uk/rɪˈfreɪn/us/rɪˈfreɪn/formalC2 to avoid doing or stop yourself from doing something:
We refrained from talking until we knew that it was safe.
The sign on the wall said "Please refrain from smoking."
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Abstaining and refraining
- abstain
- abstemious
- abstention
- abstinence
- back off
- fast
- forborne
- give
- give (sth) up
- give up sth
- hors de combat
- keep
- keep (sb/sth) out of sth
- step
- 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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refrainnoun [ C ]
uk/rɪˈfreɪn/us/rɪˈfreɪn/a short part of a song or poem that is repeated, especially between the verses (= the separate parts)
a phrase that is often repeated:
"Every vote counts" is a familiar refrain in politics.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Singing
- a cappella
- accompaniment
- accompany
- alto
- anthem
- barbershop
- dirge
- ditty
- diva
- duet
- elegy
- intonation
- jingle
- sang
- septet
- serenade
- sextet
- shanty
- tenor
- treble
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Literature
Linguistics: sentences & expressions