Definition of "abstained" []

• Simple past tense and past participle of abstain. (verb)

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• "His immigration plan was quite moderate, and he abstained from the asinine FMA."
• "In that same vote, Israel abstained, apparently fearing international interference with their own outlaw nuclear weapons program, and Britain abstained in an act of diplomatic fealty to the “special relationship” between Tony Blair and George Bush."
• "In late years, however, he has generally abstained from the exercise of this right ."