avstår

Avstår is a verb in Swedish and Norwegian meaning to abstain, refrain from, or renounce. It is used when someone chooses not to participate in an action or to relinquish a claim or right. In both languages it is usually followed by a prepositional phrase that specifies what is being forgone, for example avstå från att rösta (Swedish) or avstår fra å stemme (Norwegian).

Etymology and usage: The verb derives from a prefix meaning away (av-) combined with the verb stå, “to stand,” giving the sense of standing away or withdrawing. Over time it has come to cover abstaining, renunciation, and reluctance to act in various contexts.

Conjugation and examples: In Swedish the present tense is avstår, the past tense avstod, and the perfect participle avstått. In Norwegian Bokmål the present tense is also avstår, with past avstod and participle avstått. Examples include: Swedish: Hon avstår från att delta i mötet. De avstod från att rösta. Norwegian: Han avstår fra å stemme. Bedriften avstod fra å ta rettslige skritt. The verb is commonly used in legal, political, and everyday contexts to describe voluntary restraint or renunciation.

See also: abstention, abstaining, renunciation.