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abstain

Verb

IPA /əbˈsteɪn/

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Meaning in plain English

To deliberately avoid doing or having something, often because you have decided that avoiding it is better.

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Pronunciation

abstain/əbˈsteɪn/

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I chose to abstain from alcohol at the celebration.
Several classmates abstain from social media during the exam period.

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I chose to ________ from alcohol at the celebration.

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abstain — To deliberately avoid doing or having something, often because you have decided that avoiding it is better.

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To deliberately avoid doing or having something, often because you have decided that avoiding it is better.

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Word origin

Through Old French abstenir from Latin abstinere, combining ideas of holding and keeping away.

Did you know?

Abstain is followed by from plus a noun or an -ing form.

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