suzdržavati

1. (suzdržavati se od + gen.) to abstain; to refrain
   Već mesec dana se suzdržavam od slatkiša. — I've been refraining from sweets for a month now.
   Opozicija se suzdržava od glasanja o zakonu. — The opposition is abstaining from the vote on the law.
2. (of emotions) to hold back; to restrain oneself
   Jedva je suzdržavala suze dok je pričala. — She could barely hold back her tears as she spoke.
   Suzdržavao se da ne kaže nešto grubo. — He was holding himself back from saying something rude.

The perfective is suzdržati; in the sense "abstain" it is used with se and od + genitive.