Sample sentences for REFRAIN - verbalworkout.com

2 meanings

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1 —as in:
a repeated refrain

Definition

something repeated regularly

especially:

lines repeated after each verse of a song
a phrase or idea often repeated by someone or within a poem

The song has a catchy refrain.

refrain = lines repeated in a song

Other Uses (with this meaning)

The principal's refrain is that happy students have self-respect; and self-respect is earned.

refrain = something repeated regularly

Her refrain is to look for the good in people. I hear her say it and see her do it multiple times each day.

refrain = something done repeated in a regular manner

The constant refrain heard from the party leadership is not to let unachievable perfection become the enemy of good legislation.

refrain = something repeated regularly

The song's title and refrain was, "This Is Not My Home."
Bryan Stevenson -- Just Mercy

refrain = lines repeated in a song

Then I talk back and start contradicting everyone until the old familiar Anne refrain inevitably crops up again: "No one understands me!"
Anne Frank -- The Diary of a Young Girl

refrain = a phrase often repeated by someone

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."
Madeline Miller -- Circe

refrain = something repeated regularly

This morning Wargrave had sat huddled in his chair on the terrace refraining from any overt activity.
Agatha Christie -- And Then There Were None

refraining = avoiding

Theo had begun reading the refrain and ended up singing.
Ellen Raskin -- The Westing Game

refrain = lines repeated in a song

"Orgy-porgy," the dancers caught up the liturgical refrain, "Orgy-porgy, Ford and fun, kiss the girls ..."
Aldous Huxley -- Brave New World

refrain = lines repeated in a song

Dictionary / pronunciation — Google^®Dictionary list — Onelook.com^®Wikipedia Article

2 —as in:
refrain from laughing

Definition

avoid or resist doing something

Please refrain from swearing.

refrain = avoid or resist

Other Uses (with this meaning)

You must refrain from personal attacks in this forum.

refrain = avoid

I want to refrain from commenting on this matter until I hear both sides of the story.

refrain = avoid

How do you refrain from laughing at the wrong time?

refrain = resist

She refrained from hitting him back.

refrained = resisted

She refrained. It wouldn't have felt right to steal food from a woman who had left her a dictionary against a windowpane.
Markus Zusak -- The Book Thief

refrained = resisted

I know I have my own feelings as to who should be chosen as the leader, but I'll refrain from saying at this time so as not to influence any decisions.
James Dashner -- The Maze Runner

refrain = avoid

Then, Mr. Small got up on the stage and asked everyone to refrain from applause until all the names were read and all the diplomas were handed out.
Stephen Chbosky -- The Perks of Being a Wallflower

refrain = atop themselves from

Langdon looked as if he wanted to put a comforting hand on her shoulder, but he refrained.
Dan Brown -- The Da Vinci Code

refrained = resisted (stopped himself)

I couldn't refrain from sounding Peter out on the subject, and he instantly replied that Dussel had been lying.
Anne Frank -- The Diary of a Young Girl

refrain = resist

Dictionary / pronunciation — Google^®Dictionary list — Onelook.com^®

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