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

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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
  • Once inside, warm, tropical breezes flow into the hotel’s ascetic, nevertheless grand lobby, wafting you towards a magical cloister filled with plants and robust Botero sculptures.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2026
  • Grothendieck was intense and ascetic from his early days.
    Konstantin Kakaes, Quanta Magazine, 20 May 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
  • When to Go The Okanagan Valley is a year-round destination, and a temperate one, too.
    Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2026
  • This correlation is also stronger in more temperate regions than tropics, and in countries with fewer human impacts on the environment.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • Lawmakers have introduced bills to strengthen prevention programs, improve behavioral health services, regulate sober living environments and give local governments additional tools to respond to homelessness.
    Ray Bramson, Washington Post, 15 July 2026
  • Dylan Sprayberry is opening up about turning to Scientology after becoming sober at 23.
    Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 14 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Abstinent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstinent. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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