abstain

Abstain (ab-stay-n) -verb

Dictionary.com Definition: to hold oneself back voluntarily, esp. from something regarded as improper or unhealthy.

Translated Definition: to not let yourself do something.

Forms:
overabstain -verb
nonabstaining -adjective
abstainging -adjective



Original Sentences:
1.  I decided to abstain from sugar for the entire month, hopefully this will help me lose weight.
2.  Abstaining from gossip is one of my best traits, I don't really find interest in talking about people behind their backs.


Best time of use:
The best time to use the word abstain is when you are going on a fast for church, like oftentimes you abstain from something for a certain amount of time. For example, you can abstain from eating sweets for a month. This would be a very good time to use the word abstain, to explain what you're doing to others.

Synonyms:
A synonyms to abstain is "cease".  It means to stop, similar to abstain.    It isn't exactly alike because abstain means to hold back, not totally stop.  Cease means to stop or put to an end; discontinue. 

Antonyms:
The word "indulge" is the antonym to abstain.  It means the exact opposite to abstain, to allow onself to follow ones will.  It also means to gratify, to satisfy. Abstain is to hold onself back form someone or something or doing or enjoying.

Usefulness:
I give the word abstain five out of five stars. Abstain is very useful and it's a fairly common word that you can almost always use no matter who you are talking to.

Video:
This video shows the correct use of the word abstain, and it shows a common circumstance where the word abstain can be used.
http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2010/08/26/triarsi.tx.facebook.fast.khou