Synonyms for

Refrain

Verb / rɪˈfreɪn / Another word for refrain — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

to stop oneself from doing something; a repeated line or phrase in a song or poem

Synonyms & similar words

act consume forbear chorus abstain desist abstain desist restrain withhold stay stop cease avoid forbear resist shun deter forsake renounce eschew keep

Synonyms by register

Formal

abstain desist forbear

Informal

hold back stop oneself keep from

Literary

shun renounce

Antonyms

indulge continue proceed engage participate persue act

Common collocations

  • refrain from doing
  • refrain from smoking
  • refrain from commenting
  • refrain from eating
  • refrain from speaking
  • refrain from violence
  • refrain from judgment

Word family

noun refrain
verb refrain

Usage note

As a verb, 'refrain' is typically followed by 'from' and a gerund or noun phrase. The noun 'refrain' refers to a repeated part of a song or poem.

Example sentences

  1. I need to refrain from eating too much candy.
  2. The coach told the players to refrain from using foul language on the field.
  3. The refrain of the song was stuck in my head all day.

Quotes

  • "I will refrain from any comments on the current political situation." - David Cameron
  • "Refrain from asking what going to happen tomorrow, and everyday that fortune grants you, count as gain." - Horace
  • "The essence of morality is a questioning about morality; and the decisive move of human life is to use ceaselessly all light to look for the origin of the opposition between good and evil." - Georges Bataille

Try these popular words

the and that for you with was this are have not from

Practice

Play the Word Synonyms game · Choose level (start near 1)

Worksheets

Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6

Topics

Guides

Explore more words