abstinence

ab·sti·nence | \ ˈab-stə-nən(t)s

How to pronounce abstinence (audio)

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Definition of abstinence

1 : the practice of abstaining from something : the practice of not doing or having something that is wanted or enjoyable … ate with a haste and an apparent relish, that seemed to betoken long abstinence from food.— Walter Scott

2a : habitual abstaining from intoxicating beverages

b : abstention from sexual intercourse

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Examples of abstinence in a Sentence

The program promoted sexual abstinence for young people. a cleric vainly preaching abstinence in a world where self-indulgence is regarded as almost a virtue

Recent Examples on the Web Our savior was not the tech-abstinence-preaching Greta Thunberg, but some as yet unknown prodigy, funded by Thiel, who would figure out how to recode the physical processes of the planet. — Thomas Meaney, Harper's magazine, "Trumpism After Trump," 20 Jan. 2020 The nonprofit arm works for Upper Midwest Catholic schools to support educational technology and chastity and abstinence education. — J.d. Duggan, Twin Cities, "From pioneer roots to modern day, Catholic United sees steady growth," 1 Dec. 2019 There were 17,373 discharges due to neonatal abstinence among state residents from Ohio hospitals between 2006 and 2018, according the state Department of Health. — Eric Heisig, cleveland, "Lawyers for babies born after opioid exposure want Cleveland judge to approve class action against drug companies," 9 Jan. 2020 For millions of women throughout history, practicing abstinence in order to avoid the potentially devastating outcome of an unwanted baby wasn’t so much a moral choice as a practical necessity. — Madeleine Kearns, National Review, "What the Cyprus Gang-Rape Case Can Teach Us," 9 Jan. 2020 In Curtis’s view, a change in consumption patterns might not mean abstinence. — Fortune, "The Case for Designing Beautiful Airports: It’s About the Experience," 7 Jan. 2020 In fact, the only scientifically proven method to avoid a hangover is moderate alcohol consumption or good old abstinence. — Popular Science, "How (to attempt) to cure a hangover," 1 Jan. 2020 In Utah, the state’s predominant religious faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, teaches abstinence from alcohol and strict liquor laws continue to hold sway. — Lindsay Whitehurst, Twin Cities, "Utah says goodbye to low-alcohol beer sales; Minnesota now last state with 3.2% beer," 31 Oct. 2019 Addicts got clean through forced abstinence but then, without treatment, were dumped back onto the streets, only now with a lower tolerance. — Chris Ballard, SI.com, "Jeff Hatch Was Dealing Fentanyl. And Helping Others Recover. Then a Visit from the VP Blew It All Up," 2 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abstinence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near abstinence

abstinence syndrome

abstinence theory

Statistics for abstinence

Last Updated

11 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Abstinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abstinence. Accessed 21 Feb. 2020.

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