Translation

控える / 慎む / 棄権する

Meaning

Abstain means to deliberately not do something, especially drink alcohol, eat certain food, have sex, or take part in a vote. It is formal and is usually followed by from.

Examples

• 彼は健康上の理由で酒を控えています。
  He abstains from alcohol for health reasons.
• その選手たちは試合前に甘い物を控えました。
  The athletes abstained from sweets before the match.