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Refraining: meaning, definitions and examples

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refraining

 

[ rɪˈfreɪnɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

self-control

The act of holding oneself back from doing something, especially something that one desires or is tempted to do.

Synonyms

abstaining, holding back, restraining

Examples of usage

  • He was refraining from eating dessert to stick to his diet.
  • She was refraining from making any comments during the meeting.
  • They were refraining from laughing out loud at the inappropriate joke.

Translations

Translations of the word "refraining" in other languages:

🇵🇹 abstinência

🇮🇳 संयम

🇩🇪 Zurückhaltung

🇮🇩 menahan diri

🇺🇦 утримання

🇵🇱 powstrzymywanie się

🇯🇵 自制

🇫🇷 abstention

🇪🇸 abstinencia

🇹🇷 kaçınma

🇰🇷 자제

🇸🇦 امتناع

🇨🇿 zdržení se

🇸🇰 zdržanlivosť

🇨🇳 克制

🇸🇮 vzdrževanje

🇮🇸 aðhald

🇰🇿 ұстамдылық

🇬🇪 თავშეკავება

🇦🇿 çəkinmək

🇲🇽 abstinencia

Word origin

The word 'refrain' originated from the Old French word 'refrener' which means 'restrain, repress'. It entered the English language in the 14th century with the meaning of holding back or restraining oneself. Over time, 'refrain' evolved to also mean to abstain from doing something. The concept of refraining is often associated with self-discipline and control.

See also: refrain, refrainment.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,466, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.