What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abstain
Example
I decided to abstain from drinking alcohol at the party. [abstain: verb]
Example
She is abstaining from eating meat for religious reasons. [abstaining: present participle]
Example
The committee member chose to abstain from voting on the proposal. [abstain: verb]
withhold
Example
The company decided to withhold the employee's bonus until the end of the year. [withhold: verb]
Example
He chose to withhold information from his colleagues to gain an advantage. [withhold: verb]
Example
The landlord can withhold a portion of the security deposit for damages. [withhold: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Withhold is more commonly used than abstain in everyday language. Withhold is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while abstain is less common and is usually used in specific contexts such as voting or decision-making.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abstain and withhold?
Both abstain and withhold can be used in formal or informal contexts, but withhold is more likely to be used in formal or legal contexts due to its implications.
