REFRAIN (FROM) Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

refrain (from)

verb

ri-ˈfrān

Definition of refrain (from)

as in to keep (from)

to resist the temptation of couldn't refrain from ruffling her nephew's neatly combed hair whenever she saw him

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for refrain (from)

avoid

Verb

Following her death, Trail dismembered Loofe’s body to avoid getting caught.

— Samantha Bergeson, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Better monitoring tools can help farmers identify disease threats earlier and avoid expensive eradication campaigns.

— Robert Kelly, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of avoid

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Style

“Refrain (from).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refrain%20%28from%29. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of refrain (from)

verb

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