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
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
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.
—Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 23 May 2025
Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
This has more or less been an organizational refrain for multiple years now, from team president Josh Kroenke all the way down to the end of the bench.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for refrain
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Verb
Joel is currently undergoing specialized physical therapy and has been advised by his doctors to refrain from performing during his recovery period.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.
—Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 23 May 2025
Noun
Other common refrains on their content include Dodger fans disowning them.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
This has more or less been an organizational refrain for multiple years now, from team president Josh Kroenke all the way down to the end of the bench.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for refrain
Cite this Entry
“Refrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refrain. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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