Synonyms for refrain
rɪˈfreɪnre·frain

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.0 / 2 votes

1. refrain

   Strains of music may gradually or suddenly cease. A man quits work on the instant; he may discontinue a practise gradually; he quits suddenly and completely; he stops short in what he may or may not resume; he pauses in what he will probably resume. What intermits or is intermitted returns again, as a fever that intermits. Compare ABANDON; DIE; END; REST.

   Synonyms:
   abstain, bring to an end, cease, come to an end, conclude, desist, discontinue, end, end, finish, give over, intermit, leave off, pause, quit, stop, terminate

   Antonyms:
   begin, commence, enter upon, inaugurate, initiate, institute, originate, set about, set going, set in operation, set on foot, start

   Preposition:
   Cease from anger.

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:2.5 / 2 votes

1. refrain

   Synonyms:
   forbear, hold, abstain, keep, restrain, withhold, desist from

   Antonyms:
   indulge, venture, continue, persist

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:4.3 / 4 votes

1. refrain, chorusverb

   the part of a song where a soloist is joined by a group of singers

   Synonyms:
   chorus line, refrain, chorus

   Antonyms:
   move, act

2. refrain, forbearverb

   resist doing something

   "He refrained from hitting him back"; "she could not forbear weeping"

   Synonyms:
   desist, forbear, refrain, hold back, abstain

   Antonyms:
   move, act

3. abstain, refrain, desistverb

   choose not to consume

   "I abstain from alcohol"

   Synonyms:
   desist, forbear, refrain, abstain

   Antonyms:
   act, move

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. refrainverb

   Synonyms:
   restrain, withhold, keep back

2. refrainverb

   Synonyms:
   abstain, forbear, hold one's self back, deny one's self, stay one's hand, keep one's self from indulgence

3. refrainnoun

   Synonyms:
   burden (of a song)

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. refrainverb

   Synonyms:
   restrain, curb, check, forbear, abstain, desist

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:2.0 / 1 vote

1. List of paraphrases for "refrain":

   abstain, chorus, abstaining, avoid, desist

How to pronounce refrain ?

How to say refrain in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use refrain in a sentence?

1. Chrystia Freeland:

   Canada does not conduct its diplomacy through ad hominem attacks... and we refrain particularly from ad hominem attacks when it comes to a close ally.

2. Anthon St Maarten:

   Until one nation ceases its attempts to dominate another, there will never be true freedom. Until one religion relinquishes its quest to prove its god superior to that of another, there shall never be world peace. We will never truly prosper or experience lasting harmony, until we refrain from preaching the gospel of our own moral values and our personal preferences by forcing it upon others.

3. Georgy Margvelashvili:

   Unfortunately, instead of defusing the situation, the statement made today by the head of the government has added tension to an already difficult situation, i call on everyone to refrain from taking any drastic steps and to rein in their emotions.

4. Nicholas Alahverdian:

   Over the past 15 years, I have worked with four DCYF directors and spent hours in General Assembly committee hearings. I had a marathon strategy session last year with Lt. Gov. Dan McKee. I have met with dozens of hardworking front-line staff, and listened to countless parents, experts, and advocates, all of whom echo the same refrain: the system is beyond repair.

5. David Goddard:

   While members of the local and national media have repeatedly expressed interest in speaking to Mr. Bishop, out of respect for the Denver Police Department and their investigation, we will refrain from further comment until the investigation into this incident is complete.