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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 beveragesb : abstention from sexual intercourse
abstinently
adverbPeople Are Reading
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 of abstinence from the Web
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Treatment A is abstinence-only sex education vs Treatment B that is comprehensive sex education.
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Most people will turn back at this point, deciding that internet abstinence is not for them.
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Most people will turn back at this point, deciding that Internet abstinence is not for them.
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The hospital recently added a new neonatal intensive care unit to treat babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome because it has been inundated with infants born dependent on opioids.
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Abstinence, sweetheart’ Davidson College has remained a flashpoint for the issue.
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By the end of college, Adam was trying to manage his gaming but still fell into a pattern of bingeing, abstinence and relapse.
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Another example URL: cockblockedby jesus.com—weird, but could maybe be about abstinence.
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Yet people who describe themselves as in recovery consistently say abstinence is important.
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.
Origin and Etymology of abstinence
Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin abstinentia, noun derivative of abstinent-, abstinens, present participle of abstinēre “to abstain”
Other Christian Religious Terms
ABSTINENCE Defined for Kids
abstinence
playDefinition of abstinence for Students
: an avoidance by choice especially of certain foods or of liquor
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about abstinence
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for abstinence Spanish Central: Translation of abstinence Nglish: Translation of abstinence for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of abstinence for Arabic speakers
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