REFRAIN in a Sentence

Learn REFRAIN from example sentences, some of them are from classic books. These examples are selected from a corpus with 300,000 sentences, including classic works and current mainstream media. Some sentences also link to their contexts.

For REFRAIN, below is one of 87 sentences:
Still, some investors, bankers and venture capitalists say the old refrain that “this time is different” is actually true in 2013.

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 Meanings and Examples of REFRAIN
Definition Example Sentence Classic Sentence
refrain
 v.  abstain from; resist; hold oneself back
Classic Sentence: (79 in 6 pages)
1  The Baron could not refrain from embracing Candide; he called him his brother, his saviour.
Candide By Voltaire
Context  Highlight   In XV
2  Candide could not refrain from commending their beauty, grace, and address.
Candide By Voltaire
Context  Highlight   In XXV
3  Nevertheless, it is impossible for me to refrain from congratulating you.
Les Misérables 1 By Victor Hugo
Context  Highlight   In BOOK 1: CHAPTER VIII—PHILOSOPHY AFTER DRINKING
4  When he returned on that occasion, I could not refrain from scolding him.
Les Misérables 1 By Victor Hugo
Context  Highlight   In BOOK 1: CHAPTER IX—THE BROTHER AS DEPICTED BY THE SISTER
5  Madeleine could not refrain from a disagreeable impression on hearing this name.
Les Misérables 1 By Victor Hugo
Context  Highlight   In BOOK 6: CHAPTER II—HOW JEAN MAY BECOME CHAMP
6  If any French reader object to having his susceptibilities offended, one would have to refrain from repeating in his presence what is perhaps the finest reply that a Frenchman ever made.
Les Misérables 2 By Victor Hugo
Context  Highlight   In BOOK 1: CHAPTER XV—CAMBRONNE
7  At the moment when Cosette emerged, bucket in hand, melancholy and overcome as she was, she could not refrain from lifting her eyes to that wonderful doll, towards the lady, as she called it.
Les Misérables 2 By Victor Hugo
Context  Highlight   In BOOK 3: CHAPTER IV—ENTRANCE ON THE SCENE OF A DOLL
8  Cosette could not refrain from casting a sidelong glance at the big doll, which was still displayed at the toy-merchant's; then she knocked.
Les Misérables 2 By Victor Hugo
Context  Highlight   In BOOK 3: CHAPTER VIII—THE UNPLEASANTNESS OF RECEIVING INTO ONE'S H...
9  Meanwhile, the drinkers, all three-quarters intoxicated, were repeating their unclean refrain with redoubled gayety; it was a highly spiced and wanton song, in which the Virgin and the infant Jesus were introduced.
Les Misérables 2 By Victor Hugo
Context  Highlight   In BOOK 3: CHAPTER VIII—THE UNPLEASANTNESS OF RECEIVING INTO ONE'S H...
10  The passer-by cannot refrain from recalling the innumerable traditions of the place which are connected with the gibbet.
Les Misérables 2 By Victor Hugo
Context  Highlight   In BOOK 4: CHAPTER I—MASTER GORBEAU
11  He could not refrain from a gesture of surprise which did not escape Jondrette.
Les Misérables 3 By Victor Hugo
Context  Highlight   In BOOK 8: CHAPTER XIX—OCCUPYING ONE'S SELF WITH OBSCURE DEPTHS
12  He could not refrain from clapping his hands.
Les Misérables 4 By Victor Hugo
Context  Highlight   In BOOK 4: CHAPTER II—MOTHER PLUTARQUE FINDS NO DIFFICULTY IN EXPLAI...
13  Gesture is the strong point of the refrain.
Les Misérables 4 By Victor Hugo
Context  Highlight   In BOOK 15: CHAPTER IV—GAVROCHE'S EXCESS OF ZEAL
14  Jean Valjean could not refrain from contemplating that vast, clear shadow which rested over him; thoughtfully he bathed in the sea of ecstasy and prayer in the majestic silence of the eternal heavens.
Les Misérables 5 By Victor Hugo
Context  Highlight   In BOOK 3: CHAPTER IX—MARIUS PRODUCES ON SOME ONE WHO IS A JUDGE OF ...
15  "So that since that time--" replied d'Artagnan, totally unable to refrain from laughing at the pitiable face of the host.
The Three Musketeers By Alexandre Dumas
Context  Highlight   In 27 THE WIFE OF ATHOS
Example Sentence:
1  Complaints about school food have become a familiar refrain.
2  They appealed to the protesters to refrain from violence.
3  Please refrain from talking during the performance.
4  Employees were reluctant to talk as they filed in and out of the building, having been asked to refrain from comment.
5  Still, some investors, bankers and venture capitalists say the old refrain that “this time is different” is actually true in 2013.
6  Whenever he heard a song with a lively chorus, Sol could never refrain from joining in.
7  Mrs Hardie refrained from making any comment.
8  We refrained from talking until we knew that it was safe.