What is the difference between refrain and restrain?

As verbs the difference between refrain and restrain is that refrain is (archaic) to hold back, to restrain (someone or something) while restrain is to control or keep in check.

What does it mean to refrain or abstain from something?

1 : to choose not to do or have something : to refrain deliberately and often with an effort of self-denial from an action or practice abstain from drinking. 2 : to choose not to vote Ten members voted for the proposal, six members voted against it, and two abstained.

Does abstain mean stop?

verb refrain from, avoid, decline, give up, stop, refuse, cease, do without, shun, renounce, eschew, leave off, keep from, forgo, withhold from, forbear, desist from, deny yourself, kick (informal) Abstain from sex or use condoms.

What do you mean by a refrain?

refrain. noun. Definition of refrain (Entry 2 of 2) 1 : a regularly recurring phrase or verse especially at the end of each stanza or division of a poem or song : chorus also : the musical setting of a refrain. 2 : a comment or statement that is often repeated.

What is the difference between refrain and abstain?

‘refrain’ is most commonly and correctly used when someone is directing other people not to do something eg commonly smoking: by contrast, ‘abstain’ is more commonly about one’s own decision, eg abstaining from alcohol.

Is there a difference between refrain and abstain?

What is the difference between refrain and abstain? Refrain means to refuse to do something temporarily. Abstain means to refuse to do something because it is bad for you, abstain from alcohol or drugs.

How do you use abstain in a sentence?

Abstain sentence example

1. During Lent, many religious people decide to abstain from something to focus more clearly on God.
2. Next he must abstain from all flesh diet except fish.
3. I am trying to abstain from sweets for my new diet.

What is the synonym of abstain?

refrain, desist, hold back, forbear, keep. renounce, avoid, shun, eschew, abandon, abjure, forgo, go without, do without. refuse, decline. give up, have done with.

What is the difference between ‘abstain’ and ‘restrain’?

If the same person said they would REFRAIN from doing so, it would only mean that they PROBABLY would not do so. Abstain means “keep out.” Refrain means “try to avoid.” Restrain has nothing at all to do with the other two. Restrain means prevent from acting.

Although “refrain” was once a synonym for “restrain” it is now an intransitive verb: it should not have an object. Here are examples of correct modern usage: “When I pass the doughnut shop I have to restrain myself” (“myself” is the object). “When I feel like throwing something at my boss, I usually refrain from doing so.”

What is an example of restraint in a sentence?

Here are examples of correct modern usage: “When I pass the doughnut shop I have to restrain myself” (“myself” is the object). “When I feel like throwing something at my boss, I usually refrain from doing so.”

Is “restrain” a transitive or intransitive verb?

“Restrain” is a transitive verb: it needs an object. Although “refrain” was once a synonym for “restrain” it is now an intransitive verb: it should not have an object.