refrain vs spare

spare vs refrain

refrain and spare both are nouns.

refrain is not an adjective while spare is an adjective.

refrain and spare both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
refrain	Yes	No	Yes	No
spare	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

As verbs, spare is a hyponym of refrain; that is, spare is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than refrain:

refrain: resist doing something
spare: refrain from harming

Other hyponyms of refrain include leave, leave alone, leave behind, let alone, let it go, abstain, save, forbear, hold back, help, help oneself, stand by, sit out.

refrain (noun)	spare (noun)
the part of a song where a soloist is joined by a group of singers	a score in tenpins; knocking down all ten after rolling two balls
	an extra car wheel and tire for a four-wheel vehicle
	an extra component of a machine or other apparatus

refrain (adjective)	spare (adjective)
	lacking in magnitude or quantity
	thin and fit
	lacking embellishment or ornamentation
	not taken up by scheduled activities
	more than is needed, desired, or required
	kept in reserve especially for emergency use

refrain (verb)	spare (verb)
choose not to consume	use frugally or carefully
resist doing something	give up what is not strictly needed
	refrain from harming
	save or relieve from an experience or action

Difference between refrain and spare

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