What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abstention
Example
The senator announced his abstention from voting on the controversial bill. [abstention: noun]
Example
I decided to practice abstention from alcohol for a month to improve my health. [abstention: noun]
refusal
Example
She received a refusal letter from the university regarding her application. [refusal: noun]
Example
He refused to attend the meeting due to a prior engagement. [refused: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Refusal is more commonly used than abstention in everyday language. Refusal is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while abstention is less common and is typically used in formal settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abstention and refusal?
Abstention is more formal than refusal. It is often used in legal or parliamentary contexts, while refusal can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
