abstain

Verb

Meaning

To hold one's self aloof; to forbear or refrain voluntarily, and especially from an indulgence of the passions or appetites; -- with from.

To hinder; to withhold.

Source: Webster's dictionary

Synonyms

refrain withhold forbear deny relinquish desist forgo give up abjure keep shun avoid stop escape FAST
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Antonyms

consume institute lodge brook house hoover
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Hypernyms

refrain forbear

Hyponyms

avoid FAST teetotal keep off

Related terms

abstinence abstemious abstinent

Phrases with the word

abstain from food abstain from drugs abstain from defecation abstain from fast food abstain from eating abstain from certain foods

Derivatives

abstained abstaining

Anagrams

banitsa Bastani Bastian

Examples

It is folly to abstain all day long from food, but fail to abstain from sin and selfishness. John Chrysostom

God has given this way of life to Israel: to abstain from everything which is contrary to nature, that is to say, anger, fits of passion, jealousy, hatred and slandering the brethren; in short, everything that is characteristic of the old man. Poemen

Could the activity of thinking as such, the habit of examining whatever happens to come to pass or to attract attention, regardless of results and specific content, could this activity be among the conditions that make men abstain from evil-doing? Hannah Arendt

True science teaches us to doubt and to abstain from ignorance. Claude Bernard

It is easier to abstain than to restrain. French Proverb

Do not abstain from sowing for fear of the pigeons. French Proverb

Close letter words and terms

absque dubio absque hoc absque impetitione vasti abstain from beans abstain from certain foods abstain from defecation