abstinent

Definition of abstinentnext
as in ascetic
given to or marked by restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites grew up in a family where abstinent behavior was expected and self-indulgence of any kind was scorned and castigated

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abstinent One of the sacrifices Dolan mentioned in his speech was staying abstinent. Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026 Like Ash Wednesday, Good Friday is a day where Catholics are obliged to fast and stay abstinent throughout the day until midnight. Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2026 At the end of six months, those who had taken just one dose of psilocybin had more than six times greater odds of being abstinent from cigarettes than their counterparts who relied on the nicotine substitute. Will Stone, NPR, 10 Mar. 2026 Some people want to remain abstinent to focus on their own personal growth, while others have resorted to it after becoming frustrated with today's dating culture. Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025 Ivan Neville has been on a few times and always talks being abstinent. Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025 As a purist, Murray defines sobriety as being completely abstinent from habit-forming substances that could cause dependency, including prescription drugs like Xanax and Suboxone. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstinent
Adjective
  • And there were posters tearing apart his otherworldly self-projection as a fakir, or ascetic, depicting him in his monogrammed suits, designer sunglasses, and aircraft.
    Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Then, over the following years, came sustainability and strict reuse and ascetic renunciation, and today, finally, its photo series and articles advocated for a mild, slightly quirky anticapitalist metaphysics.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026
Adjective
  • Lunchtimes are more abstemious with avocado and tuna packed poke bowls and watermelon salad at the W lounge.
    Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
  • His first term now looks practically abstemious.
    Erin Neil, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • That has a stronger impact in ecosystems like Canada’s boreal forests, California’s Sierra Nevada mountains and parts of temperate Europe that evolved under relatively cool, moist conditions.
    Bloomberg, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Much of the Bay Area is set to see sizzling summer weather this weekend as temperatures hit the triple digits, but coastal areas will mostly avoid the swelter with much more temperate conditions.
    Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Over the long run, reversion to mean in real interest rates—a return to the historical trend—gives a more sober prediction than just extrapolating from one decade.
    Kenneth S. Rogoff, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Reportedly, this is concerning for his friend Bradley Cooper, who has been sober since 2004.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 12 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Abstinent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstinent. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster