ABSTAINS Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

abstains

verb

present tense third-person singular of abstain

as in refuses

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstains

Verb

In the event that Bally’s refuses to respond with full candor and information, the City Council may need to consider options up to and including suspending the Bally’s license.

— Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
The channel, which is banned inside Iran, refuses to disclose its private donors.

— Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of refuses

Verb

So when Alex rejects the author of a romantasy novel entitled The Goblin Seed that turns out to be a bestseller, all hell breaks loose.

— Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 24 Aug. 2026
Manjari Sihare-Sutin, who heads Sotheby’s South Asian Modern and Contemporary department, said her team rejects an average of two works ahead of every sale because of authenticity concerns.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of rejects

Verb

The candidate who turns down your offer doesn’t necessarily go on to repeat what was heard.

— Jon Michail, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Pairing a floral sundress with a pair of white sneakers turns down the volume on the feminine formality, making the classic piece a bit less fussy.

— Amber Rambharose, InStyle, 18 June 2026

Definition of turns down

Verb

Your vehicle hesitates when shifting gears A short pause or delay between pressing the gas and your car responding is an early sign of transmission trouble.

— Michael Kurko, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026
If someone hesitates, gently restate the goal and offer one reasonable option while staying loyal to your own needs.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026

Definition of hesitates

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“Abstains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstains. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of abstains

verb

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