continence

continence

noun

Definition of CONTINENCE

1

abstention from sexual intercourse <argued for a pregnancy-prevention program that did not put so much faith in the continence of teenagers>

Synonyms abstinence, chasteness, chastity, continence

Related Words modesty, purity; honor, innocence, virginity, virtue

Near Antonyms debauchery, lechery, licentiousness, venery, wenching, whoring

2

the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others <experiencing a moment of unusual continence, I refrained from returning her gratuitous insult>

Synonyms continence, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression, reserve, restraint, self-command, self-control, self-restraint, suppression

Related Words command, control, mastery, possession; self-censorship, self-containment, self-denial, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, will, willpower; composure, self-poise, self-possession; aloofness, detachedness, distance; bashfulness, modesty, shyness; reticence, silence, taciturnity

Near Antonyms self-abandonment, uninhibitedness; unrestrainedness; gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence; bluntness, candor, frankness; immoderacy, intemperance

Antonyms disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint

3

the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions <a religious sect that demanded nearly superhuman continence from its adherents>

Synonyms continence, restraint, self-command, self-containment, self-control, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, self-possession, self-restraint, willpower

Related Words self-abnegation, self-denial, self-deprivation; moderateness, moderation, temperance, temperateness; determination, nerve; command, control, discipline, mastery; abnegation, abstention, avoidance, eschewal, forbearance; abstinence, soberness, sobriety; aplomb, assurance, composure, confidence, coolness, equanimity, poise, self-confidence; discretion

Near Antonyms gratification, indulgence, self-indulgence; excessiveness, immoderacy, intemperance, intemperateness, overindulgence; demerit, failing, fault, feebleness, foible, frailty, shortcoming, vice, weakness; indiscipline, unconstraint, unreserve, unreservedness, unrestraint

4

voluntary restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites <a gambling mecca that has a reputation for being the sort of place where caution and continence are thrown to the wind>

Synonyms continence, self-abnegation, self-denial, sobriety, temperance

Related Words control, forbearance, restraint; discipline, self-command, self-control, self-discipline, self-mastery; asceticism, austerity

Near Antonyms gluttony, greed, rapaciousness, rapacity, voraciousness, voracity; hedonism, sensuality, sybaritism

Antonyms self-indulgence