abstention
/əbˈstenʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /əbˈstenʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /əb-ˈsten(t)-shən ab-/ (ame, mw)
abstention — noun
- abstentionsingular
- abstentionsplural
1. The act of deciding not to vote when you have the chance to — you neither say ye
The act of deciding not to vote when you have the chance to — you neither say yes nor no to what is being proposed.
During the board vote, Fatima's abstention surprised everyone in the room.
collocation: abstention + during the vote
The motion passed with twelve in favour and one abstention.
pattern: [number] in favour and [number] abstention(s)
Hiroshi explained his abstention by saying he needed more time to decide.
Councilman Levent's abstention, with two others, meant the playground budget was shelved until autumn.
Kwame's abstention on the budget vote drew sharp looks from his colleagues.
- non-vote
informal equivalent; rare outside casual speech
- vote
the act of casting a vote, the opposite choice
文法句型
abstention from [voting / the vote / the ballot]
[number] + abstention(s)
用法筆記
Frequently used with numbers ('three abstentions', 'one abstention'). Common in formal decision-making settings: board meetings, parliamentary votes, shareholder resolutions.
常見錯誤
2. The decision to stay away from something that you believe is harmful or morally
The decision to stay away from something that you believe is harmful or morally questionable — for example, choosing not to drink alcohol, or deciding to wait before having sex.
Dmitri's abstention from alcohol impressed his friends at the wedding.
collocation: abstention from [substance]
The nun wrote a short book about her lifelong abstention from rich food.
collocation: lifelong abstention
Ingrid spoke openly about her abstention from social media during exam season.
For health reasons, Tariq chose total abstention from sugary drinks.
After her third poker relapse, Esther began her abstention from gambling with a weekly support group.
- abstinence
more common in everyday English for avoiding alcohol, sex, or certain foods
- self-denial
stronger emotional tone; implies giving up something deeply desired, often for moral reasons
- refraining
broader; can apply to a single action or short-term choice, not necessarily a lasting commitment
- indulgence
giving in to desires or pleasures without restraint
文法句型
abstention from [alcohol / sex / gambling / rich food]
total abstention
voluntary abstention
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (NOT VOTING): this sense describes personal, often health-related or moral choices rather than formal voting. The near-synonym 'abstinence' is more common in everyday English for this meaning.