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refrain from
[rɪˈfreɪn frəm]
verb phrase
abster-se de
1.
to choose not to do something; to resist or avoid doing something
Please refrain from smoking in this area.
Por favor, abstenha-se de fumar nesta área.
2.
to hold back or restrain oneself from an action
She had to refrain from laughing during the serious meeting.
Ela teve que se abster de rir durante a reunião séria.
Synonyms
abstain from
desist from
avoid
forbear
resist
hold back from
Antonyms
indulge in
engage in
partake in
proceed with
Regional Variations
General Brazilian
abster-se de
most common usage
Brazil
evitar
informal alternative
Portugal
abster-se de
formal usage, preferred in European Portuguese
Portugal
privar-se de
less common alternative
Related Idioms & Phrases
refrain from comment
refrain from judgment
refrain from making assumptions
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