What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Abstain vs Surrender - What's the difference?

abstain | surrender |

In lang=en terms the difference between abstain and surrender

is that abstain is deliberately refrain from casting one's vote at a meeting where one is present while surrender is to give up possession of; to yield; to resign.

As verbs the difference between abstain and surrender

is that abstain is (transitive|reflexive|obsolete) keep or withhold oneself while surrender is to give up into the power, control, or possession of another; specifically (military) to yield (a town, a fortification, etc) to an enemy.

As a noun surrender is

an act of surrendering, submission into the possession of another; abandonment, resignation.

abstain

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • (transitive, reflexive, obsolete) Keep or withhold oneself.
  • Refrain from (something); hold one's self aloof; to forbear or keep from doing, especially an indulgence of the passions or appetites.
  • * Who abstains from meat that is not gaunt? - Shakespeare, Richard II, II-i
  • (obsolete) Fast.
  • Deliberately refrain from casting one's vote at a meeting where one is present.
  • * Not a few abstained from voting. -
  • (obsolete) Hinder; keep back; withhold.
  • * Whether he abstain men from marying [sic]. -

    • Usage notes

    * (keep or withhold oneself) Followed by the word from' or ' of . * (refrain from something) Followed by the word from .

    Synonyms

    * deny oneself * forbear * forgo * give up * refrain * relinquish * withhold

    Derived terms

    * abstention

    Related terms

    * abstinence

    References

    Anagrams

    *

    surrender

    English

    Alternative forms

    * surrendre (archaic)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To give up into the power, control, or possession of another; specifically (military) to yield (a town, a fortification, etc.) to an enemy.
  • (intransitive, or, reflexive) To give oneself up into the power of another, especially as a prisoner; to submit or give in.
    • I surrender !
  • To give up possession of; to yield; to resign.
    • to surrender a right, privilege, or advantage
  • (reflexive) To yield (oneself) to an influence, emotion, passion, etc.
    • ''to surrender oneself to grief, to despair, to indolence, or to sleep
  • To abandon (one's hand of cards) and recover half of the initial bet.

    • Synonyms

    * (l), (l) * wave the white flag

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An act of surrendering, submission into the possession of another; abandonment, resignation.
  • The yielding or delivery of a possession in response to a demand.
  • (legal, property law) The yielding of the leasehold estate by the lessee to the landlord, so that the tenancy for years merges in the reversion and no longer exists.

    • Synonyms

    * capitulation