celibate

Definition of celibatenext
as in chaste
not engaging in sexual intercourse celibate monks and nuns They have chosen to lead celibate lives.

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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 celibate In 1807, the Harmonists took a vow to remain celibate, which required them to build more community houses as the number of unwed society members grew. Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 30 Dec. 2025 And Shakers are celibate – one of the practices that most startled their neighbors in 18th- and 19th-century America. Christian Goodwillie, The Conversation, 22 Dec. 2025 And celibacy, as Christ was celibate. Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025 For many traditionalists, effective enforcement of this teaching would mean cracking down on homosexuality among the clergy, including gay clergy who are celibate and chaste. Massimo Faggioli, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2018 See All Example Sentences for celibate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for celibate
Adjective
  • Deadhead your chaste tree in late winter to promote flowering in the spring and summer months.
    Steve Bender, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
  • Features chaste berry, cramp bark, shatavari root, dandelion root and ginger.
    Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Adjective
  • 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
Adjective
  • To claim Head of Household (HOH), the taxpayer generally must be unmarried (single, legally separated, divorced, or widowed) or be considered unmarried, pay more than half the cost of maintaining the home, and have a qualifying person.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • While church policies emphasized that unmarried women had the right to keep their children and the children had a right to remain with their mothers, staff often ignored this guidance and worked closely with adoption agencies, researchers found.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • Sam neglects the standards of his profession to protect women who Cady could hurt, especially someone like Sam’s virginal teen daughter, Dani.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 June 2026
  • Brides were expected, in most cultures at various points in history, to be virginal, pure and dedicated to their husbands.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
Adjective
  • But the document also made clear, as every criminal case must, that the charges were accusations and that the defendant was presumed innocent until proven guilty.
    Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
  • Nearly two-dozen suspects are now off the streets after being charged with dozens of shootings involving innocent bystanders.
    Ali Bauman, CBS News, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • In reaching their first World Cup (which expanded from 32 to 48 participating nations this year), Curaçao has been able to showcase its colorful culture, touristic offerings and sporting potential to a largely virgin audience.
    Alan Chazaro, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 June 2026
  • The usual claims of occult idolatry, the sensitivity of children’s virgin eyes, and the fear of nurturing serial killers were at the heart of the debates, which had some comparing Schwartz to Jeffrey Dahmer and were only further accelerated by the intense graphics of illustrator Stephen Gammell.
    SPIN Team, SPIN, 22 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Celibate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/celibate. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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