abster-se

Senses

1. 1.

   to abstain, to refrain

   to deliberately not do something or not participate in something

2. 2.

   to abstain (from voting)

   to choose not to vote in an election or decision

Examples

• "Decidi me abster de álcool durante o tratamento."

  I decided to abstain from alcohol during treatment.

• "Prefiro me abster de comentar sobre esse assunto polêmico."

  I prefer to refrain from commenting on this controversial topic.

• "Vários deputados se abstiveram na votação da reforma."

  Several representatives abstained in the vote on the reform.

Usage

This is a pronominal verb, always used with the reflexive pronoun 'se' (abster-se). It is typically followed by the preposition 'de' + noun/infinitive. Common in formal and written contexts. The past participle is 'abstido' and it's conjugated like 'ter'.