When we talk about someone who abstains from doing something, we often mean that they are deliberately refraining from doing it. There are many different ways to express this idea, depending on the context and the tone you want to convey. Some synonyms for the phrase "abstains from" might include: avoids, forgoes, refrains from, gives up, renounces, sacrifices, shuns, spares, or stays away from. Each of these words conveys a slightly different meaning, and can be used to express different shades of meaning depending on the circumstances. Ultimately, the best synonym for "abstains from" depends on the context and the speaker's intent.