# abstentionism

CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abstentionism
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

the act of choosing not to vote in an election or to avoid using something like alcohol or meat.

For teachers: the practice of refraining from voting in an election or from the use of a specific substance or activity.

## Examples

- The party's abstentionism caused the bill to fail.
- The candidate's decision to support abstentionism during the debate was seen as a strategic move to avoid alienating moderate voters.
- Historical analyses of the region's political landscape often focus on the rise of abstentionism as a response to perceived electoral corruption and a lack of viable candidates.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.