refrained; refraining; refrains
: to keep oneself from doing, feeling, or indulging in something and especially from following a passing impulse
refrained from having dessert
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
Synonyms
Examples of refrain in a Sentence
Verb
I was going to make a joke but I refrained.
Noun
A common refrain among teachers these days is that the schools need more funding.
I didn't know the verses of the song, so I only sang on the refrain.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 3 Sep. 2024
In the current talks, American officials so far have refrained from invoking that authority against Japan and other key allies, which see the rule as a draconian step.
—Mahnoor Khan, Fortune Asia, 2 Sep. 2024
Candy Woodall, Baltimore Sun, 13 Aug. 2024
That has become a refrain of feeling unloved, unseen, unappreciated.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for refrain 
Verb
In the past, Cavallari has refrained from showing her kids' faces on social media.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 3 Sep. 2024
In the current talks, American officials so far have refrained from invoking that authority against Japan and other key allies, which see the rule as a draconian step.
—Mahnoor Khan, Fortune Asia, 2 Sep. 2024
Noun
Trump praises dictators This is becoming a consistent refrain for Trump, likely turning off voters who strongly disagree with the former president’s assessment.
—Candy Woodall, Baltimore Sun, 13 Aug. 2024
That has become a refrain of feeling unloved, unseen, unappreciated.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for refrain
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'refrain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Refrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refrain. Accessed 12 Sep. 2024.
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