Definitions and Examples of abstain, refrain
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
To choose not to do or have something, especially something enjoyable but considered bad or unhealthy.
Example
He decided to abstain from alcohol during the party.
To resist doing something, especially something that one is tempted to do.
Example
She had to refrain from eating sweets because of her diet.
Key Differences: abstain vs refrain
- 1Abstain implies a conscious decision to avoid something, often for moral or health reasons.
- 2Refrain implies a conscious effort to resist temptation or desire.
Effective Usage of abstain, refrain
- 1Healthy Habits: Use abstain and refrain to talk about healthy habits such as avoiding junk food or smoking.
- 2Self-Control: Use refrain to talk about resisting temptation or desire.
- 3Moral Decisions: Use abstain to talk about making moral decisions such as not cheating or lying.
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Remember this!
The antonyms abstain and refrain convey the idea of avoiding or not participating in something. Abstain implies a conscious decision to avoid something, often for moral or health reasons, while refrain implies a conscious effort to resist temptation or desire. Use these words to talk about healthy habits, self-control, and moral decisions.
