Avoid and Abstain

Avoid

Avoid verb - Refrain from certain foods or beverages.
Usage example: During Ramadan, Muslims avoid tobacco during the day

Abstain is a synonym for avoid in action topic. In some cases you can use "Abstain" instead a verb "Avoid", when it comes to topics like prevent, skip.

Abstain

Abstain verb - Choose not to consume.

Avoid is a synonym for abstain in action topic. You can use "Avoid" instead a verb "Abstain", if it concerns topics such as renounce, skip, hold back from doing.

Common collocations

punishment avoid punishment abstain punishment
Cite this Source
Abstain and Avoid. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 14, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/avoid/abstain
Avoid & Abstain. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/avoid/abstain>.
Abstain or Avoid. 2016. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/avoid/abstain.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "avoid" and "abstain" have occurred on timeline