abstain
gb/æbstˈeɪn/ us/æbstˈeɪn/
B2
English
~ 9800
tartózkodik
VERB
B2
FORMAL
1
tartózkodik
C1
Usage pattern:
to abstain from [noun/gerund]
He decided to abstain from alcohol for the entire year.
Úgy döntött, hogy az egész évben tartózkodni fog az alkoholtól.
Doctors advised her to abstain from smoking after the surgery.
Az orvosok azt tanácsolták neki, hogy a műtét után tartózkodjon a dohányzástól.
Many followers abstain from meat on certain religious holidays.
She chose to abstain from sex until after marriage for personal reasons.
During the detox program, participants must abstain from caffeine and sugar.
Learner examples
I am trying to abstain from sugar this month.
Ebben a hónapban próbálok tartózkodni a cukortól.
He abstained from alcohol while he was taking the medicine.
Amíg szedte a gyógyszert, tartózkodott az alkoholtól.
Many people abstain from meat on this special day.
She decided to abstain from smoking to improve her health.
They abstain from sex for religious reasons.
Common mistake:
Learners often say *"abstain to do something"* instead of the correct *"abstain from doing something"*. The verb *abstain* almost always takes the preposition *from* followed by a noun or a verb in -ing form (e.g., *abstain from alcohol*, *abstain from drinking*). Learners may also confuse *abstain* with *avoid*: *avoid* is more general and common, while *abstain* sounds more formal and is often used for moral, religious, or health choices.
Meaning
deliberately not do or use something
Collocations
abstain from alcohol
|abstain from sex
|abstain from smoking
|abstain from meat
|abstain completely
|abstain during Lent
Synonyms
refrain (Very close in meaning; slightly less formal and used more generally for holding back from an action.)
|
forgo (Emphasizes giving something up or doing without it, not always for moral reasons.)
Antonyms
indulge (Means to allow yourself to do or have something enjoyable, often the very thing someone else is abstaining from.)
Themes
health
|lifestyle
|ethics
|religion
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To choose not to do or use something, usually because you think it is bad for you or wrong.
To deliberately not do, consume, or take part in something, especially something enjoyable or potentially harmful, often for health, moral, or religious reasons.
C1
FORMAL
2
tartózkodik
C1
Usage pattern:
to abstain (from voting/on [issue])
Three council members chose to abstain from voting on the budget proposal.
Három tanácstag úgy döntött, hogy tartózkodik a költségvetési javaslat szavazásán.
The senator announced that she would abstain on the controversial bill.
A szenátor bejelentette, hogy tartózkodni fog a vitatott törvényjavaslat szavazásán.
Ten delegates voted in favor, four against, and two abstained.
Because he had a conflict of interest, he decided to abstain from the vote.
Several board members abstained, saying they needed more information.
Learner examples
Two people voted yes, one voted no, and one abstained.
Ketten igennel szavaztak, egy ember nemmel, egy pedig tartózkodott.
She decided to abstain from voting on the new rule.
Úgy döntött, hogy tartózkodik az új szabályról szóló szavazáson.
Some members abstained because they did not know enough about the issue.
He abstained in the vote due to a conflict of interest.
Many countries chose to abstain on the final resolution.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this voting sense with the general sense of not doing something. In political or formal meeting contexts, *abstain* almost always means *not vote*, usually with phrases like *abstain from voting*, *abstain in the vote*, or *abstain on the motion*. Also, avoid saying *"abstain the vote"*; the correct patterns are *abstain from the vote* or *abstain in the vote*.
Meaning
formally choose not to vote
Collocations
abstain from voting
|abstain on the motion
|abstain in the vote
|members abstained
|choose to abstain
Synonyms
withhold one’s vote (A descriptive phrase that clearly expresses the idea of not using your vote in a particular decision.)
Antonyms
vote (Means to actively choose for or against something, the opposite of abstaining in a vote.)
Themes
politics
|law
|government
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To choose not to vote when other people are voting on something.
To formally choose not to vote for or against a proposal, candidate, or decision when participating in an official vote.
Grammar
Dictionary form
abstain
IPA
GB/æbstˈeɪn/
US/æbstˈeɪn/
Syllables & stress
ab - stain (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (stain)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: abstain
- 3rd Person Singular: abstains
- Present Participle: abstaining
- Past: abstained
Word family
Forms
abstains
verb
abstaining
verb
abstained
verb
Core family
abstinence
noun C1
abstinent
adjective
Related words
abstention
noun C1
abstainer
noun
Expressions
abstain from alcohol
1/æbstˈeɪn fɹˈʌm ˈælkəhˌɑl/
fixed phrase
choose not to drink alcohol
To decide not to drink any alcohol.
Examples
- He promised his family he would abstain from alcohol after the accident.
- Many pregnant women choose to abstain from alcohol for health reasons.
abstain from meat
1/æbstˈeɪn fɹˈʌm mˈit/
fixed phrase
choose not to eat meat
To decide not to eat meat, often for health or religious reasons.
Examples
- Many Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent.
- For this cleanse, participants must abstain from meat and dairy.
abstain from sex
1/æbstˈeɪn fɹˈʌm sˈɛks/
fixed phrase
choose not to have sex
To decide not to have sex, often for personal, health, or religious reasons.
Examples
- They chose to abstain from sex until after their wedding.
- Some people abstain from sex during certain religious periods.
abstain from smoking
1/æbstˈeɪn fɹˈʌm smˈoʊkɪŋ/
fixed phrase
choose not to smoke
To decide not to smoke cigarettes or other products.
Examples
- Patients are advised to abstain from smoking before and after surgery.
- He managed to abstain from smoking for six months.
abstain from voting
1/æbstˈeɪn fɹˈʌm vˈoʊtɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
choose not to take part in a vote
To choose not to vote when other people are voting on something.
Examples
- Several representatives chose to abstain from voting on the tax reform bill.
- If you have a conflict of interest, you should abstain from voting.
- Three members abstained from voting while the rest supported the motion.