When a person agrees to refrain from doing something, what is this action known as?

The action of agreeing to refrain from doing something is best described as forbearance. Forbearance typically refers to the act of holding back or exercising self-control with respect to a particular behavior or action. In a legal context, forbearance can also refer to an agreement where one party decides not to enforce a right or claim, which reflects a voluntary choice to allow the other party to act without interference.

Abstention generally means refraining from participating in something, often used in a broader sense that can include not voting or not engaging in activities, but it lacks the specific connotation of an agreed-upon concession seen in forbearance. Restraint refers to the act of holding oneself back, but it does not necessarily imply an agreement or concession from another party. Deterrence is related to preventing actions through fear or doubt and doesn't directly apply to the agreement aspect of refraining from doing something. Therefore, forbearance is the most accurate term to define the action of agreeing not to perform a specific action.