What does refrained mean?
Refrained is the past tense and past participle of the verb “refrain,” meaning to hold oneself back from doing something or to resist expressing an impulse. It is especially common in the construction “refrained from,” as in “refrained from speaking,” and suggests deliberate restraint rather than an inability to act. The word is frequently used in reports, formal writing, and descriptions of social behavior: someone may refrain from commenting, criticizing, or interfering. Its tone is generally controlled and sometimes carries the implication that speaking or acting would have been unwise, inappropriate, or contrary to a principle. Refrained is also used in the past participle to describe something withheld, such as an expression of anger or a decision to act.
verbHeld oneself back from doing something or restrained an impulse, desire, or action.
- To abstain from an action or refrain from doing something.
- To prevent oneself from expressing a thought, feeling, or reaction.
"She refrained from commenting on the decision until the meeting had ended."
"He refrained from making a remark that might have upset her."
"The committee refrained from publishing the report until the investigation was complete."
To refrain is to let a moment pass without acting on the impulse to speak, judge, or jump in.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does refrained come from?
The verb “refrain” comes through Old French from the Latin “refraenare,” a form related to “frenus,” meaning a bridle or restraint. The underlying idea is that an impulse or action is held back, much as a horse is restrained by a bridle. The related English words “restrain,” “constraint,” and “abstain” reflect cognate roots involving holding back or withholding.
Related word forms
How refrained is actually used
Commonly used in formal and semi-formal contexts. The construction “refrain from” is standard, and the word often implies deliberate self-control rather than simply being unable to act.
Easily confused with refrained
“Refrain” is the base form of the verb, while “refrained” is its past tense and past participle.
“Refrained” means held back from an action, whereas “reframed” means changed the way something is presented or conceptualized.