abstentionism

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UK/əbˈstɛn.ʃn̩.ɪz.m̩/US/æbˈstɛn.ʃn̩.ɪz.m̩/US/æbˈstɛn.t͡ʃn̩.ɪz.m̩/US/əbˈstɛn.t͡ʃn̩.ɪz.m̩/

noun

A policy of abstaining or of the desirability of withholding one's vote or other participation with regard to some aspect of the political process.

“Abstentionism is a manifestation of political independence.”

OriginFrench abstentionnisme →
First used First attested in the mid 20ᵗʰ century.Scrabble 17
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Meanings

nounabstentionism (countable and uncountable, plural abstentionisms)

plural abstentionisms

  1. countableuncountableA policy of abstaining or of the desirability of withholding one's vote or other participation with regard to some aspect of the political process.First known use First attested in the mid 20ᵗʰ century.

    Abstentionism is a manifestation of political independence.

Origin

  1. Frenchabstentionnisme
  2. Englishabstentionism

From French abstentionnisme. By surface analysis, abstention + -ism.

More words from French

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Dutch abstentionisme
  • abstentionismepolicy of abstaining from political participation
Portuguese abstencionismo
  • abstencionismopolicy of abstaining from political participation
Cite this entry
APA

abstentionism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/abstentionism

MLA

“abstentionism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/abstentionism. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “abstentionism,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/abstentionism.

Source: abstentionism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.