Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

abstinence syndrome

noun

Definition of abstinence syndrome

: the physical effects that result from depriving an addict of the drug to which he or she is habituated

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of abstinence syndrome

1931, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about abstinence syndrome

Share abstinence syndrome

Statistics for abstinence syndrome

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for abstinence syndrome

The first known use of abstinence syndrome was in 1931

See more words from the same year

Comments on abstinence syndrome

What made you want to look up abstinence syndrome? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

adjudicate

to settle judicially or to act as judge

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Homophone Quiz

  • three-bears-two-of-them-look-like-theyre-whispering-to-a-third-bear-who-looks-chuffed-to-be-the-center-of-attention
  • In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a ______.
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Bee Cubed

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games