abstain

//əbˈsteɪn//
B2Frequency Level 12Formal
Visual representation of abstain

Verb

abstainInfinitive
abstainPresent tense
abstainedPast tense
abstainedPast participle
abstainingPresent participle
abstainsThird-person singular
1

To restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something, especially something considered pleasurable or unhealthy.

My doctor advised me to abstain from alcohol for a month.

2

To formally decline to vote either for or against a proposal or motion.

Three members abstained from the vote.

abstain - Deep Vocabulary