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refrain
in a sentence
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refrain as in:  a repeated refrain

Show 3 more with this contextual meaning
  • •
    In the poem, the final line acts as a refrain, appearing after each stanza.
    refrain = repeated line
  • •
    "Practice makes perfect" became the familiar refrain of her childhood coach.
    refrain = something repeated regularly
  • •
    The constant refrain heard from the party leadership is not to let unachievable perfection become the enemy of good legislation.
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Show 10 more with 2 word variations
  • •
    Theo had begun reading the refrain and ended up singing.  (source)
    refrain = lines repeated in a song
  • •
    This morning Wargrave had sat huddled in his chair on the terrace refraining from any overt activity.  (source)
    refraining = avoiding
  • •
    This was the refrain we had practiced so often. "There is risk, I know it, but you have taught me to be careful. I can do this, Mother. I want to."  (source)
    refrain = something repeated regularly
  • •
    The song's title and refrain was, "This Is Not My Home."  (source)
    refrain = lines repeated in a song
  • •
    Miss Emma repeated the old refrain I had heard about a hundred times the day before.  (source)
    refrain = something repeated regularly
  • •
    Alex's constant refrain plays in my head: There are more of us than you think.  (source)
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    Then I talk back and start contradicting everyone until the old familiar Anne refrain inevitably crops up again: "No one understands me!"  (source)
    refrain = a phrase often repeated by someone
  • •
    ...which had the refrain: Ho, rumble, rumble, rumble, Rumble drum belaboured.  (source)
    refrain = lines repeated after each verse of a song
  • •
    rhythmical chant of 'B-B! … B-B!' ... It was a refrain that was often heard in moments of overwhelming emotion.  (source)
    refrain = something repeated regularly
  • •
    After this last remark, the refrain becomes: 'Yes, yes, yes!  (source)
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refrain as in:  refrain from laughing

•
She wanted to argue, but refrained from speaking until she calmed down.
refrained = held back
Show 3 more with this contextual meaning
  • •
    You must refrain from personal attacks in this forum.
    refrain = hold back
  • •
    I will refrain from commenting on this matter until I hear both sides of the story.
    refrain = resist or hold back
  • •
    How do you refrain from laughing at the wrong time?
    refrain = hold back
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Show 10 more with 6 word variations
  • •
    She refrained from hitting him back.
    refrained = held back
  • •
    Please refrain from swearing.
    refrain = avoid or resist
  • •
    If the remainder of the school year were as fraught with drama as the first day, perhaps it would be mildly entertaining, but the prospect of spending nine months refraining from reading and writing made me think of running away.  (source)
    refraining = staying away
  • •
    The sweet refrains drifted to the heavens like birdsong.†  (source)
    refrains = avoids or resists doing something
  • •
    and not of Tydeus' kind, Whose little body lodged a mighty mind; Foremost he press'd in glorious toils to share, And scarce refrain'd when I forbade the war.†  (source)
    refrain'd = avoided or resisted (doing something)
  • •
    10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.†  (source)
    refraineth = avoids or resists doing something
    standard suffix: Today, the suffix "-eth" is replaced by "-s", so that where they said "She refraineth" in older English, today we say "She refrains."
  • •
    It's good I refrained from saying anything to the baker in Tarifa, thought the boy to himself.  (source)
    refrained = stopped myself
  • •
    He left, refraining from banging the door shut behind him, though Clary could tell he wanted to.†  (source)
    refraining = avoiding or resisting doing something
  • •
    I refrain from saying how I usually clear out of the house whenever she's treating anything worse than a cold.  (source)
    refrain = resist
  • •
    On the refrains her voice spun, twinning and mixing with my own.†  (source)
    refrains = avoids or resists doing something
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