abstaining
v. B2 Upper Intermediate US //æbˈsteɪnɪŋ// UK //ɐbstˈeɪnɪŋ// ab·stain·ing
v. choosing not to do something, especially not to vote or to eat certain foods. It is a formal way to say you are staying away from something.
v. refraining from an action or activity, particularly in the context of voting or consumption. Often used in political or religious contexts to describe a deliberate choice to remain neutral or to follow a specific rule.
The senator is abstaining from the vote today.
Many members of the committee are abstaining from the final decision to avoid a tie.
By abstaining from the initial round of negotiations, the smaller nations hoped to force the larger powers into a more transparent and equitable agreement.