abstaining

A patient is abstaining from sugar for health reasons.

Definition

1. Noun (gerund form of the verb ):
   • The act of refraining from something: "abstaining" refers to the deliberate choice to avoid or withhold oneself from an action, especially from indulging in something such as food, drink, or voting.
   • Self-denial or restraint: It implies a conscious decision to not participate in or consume something, often for moral, health, or religious reasons.

Usage Examples

• (The deliberate act of not drinking alcohol.)
• (The act of not casting a vote, often as a neutral stance.)
• (The act of avoiding sugary foods.)

Advanced Usage

• "abstaining from": a common prepositional phrase indicating what is being avoided.

  • She is abstaining from social media for a week. (She is deliberately not using social media.)

• "abstaining in": used in formal contexts, especially regarding votes.

  • Several delegates chose abstaining in the final ballot. (They did not vote either for or against.)

Variants and Related Words

• Abstain (verb): to refrain from something voluntarily.

  • He decided to abstain from eating meat on Fridays. (He chose to avoid meat.)

• Abstainer (noun): a person who abstains, especially from alcohol.

  • As an abstainer, she never drinks at parties. (She avoids alcohol entirely.)

• Abstention (noun): the formal act of abstaining, especially in voting.

  • The abstention of three members changed the outcome. (Their not voting affected the result.)

Synonyms

• Refraining: the act of holding back from doing something.
• Forbearance: patient self-control and restraint.
• Temperance: moderation or abstinence from alcohol or indulgence.

Phrasal Verbs

• Abstain from (phrasal verb): to deliberately avoid or refrain from something.
  • Doctors recommend abstaining from smoking during pregnancy. (Avoiding smoking entirely.)

Related Idioms

• To take the pledge: to promise to abstain from alcohol.

  • He took the pledge at the temperance meeting. (He committed to not drinking alcohol.)

• To keep one's nose clean: to avoid trouble or indulgence.

  • She kept her nose clean by abstaining from risky behaviours. (She stayed out of trouble.)