abstentious

adjective

Definition of abstentiousnext
as in ascetic
given to or marked by restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites abstentious by nature, she eats only to satisfy actual hunger—never just for the sake of eating

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstentious
  1. ascetic
  2. abstemious
  3. abstinent
  4. temperate
Adjective
  • And there were posters tearing apart his otherworldly self-projection as a fakir, or ascetic, depicting him in his monogrammed suits, designer sunglasses, and aircraft.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Then, over the following years, came sustainability and strict reuse and ascetic renunciation, and today, finally, its photo series and articles advocated for a mild, slightly quirky anticapitalist metaphysics.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026
Definition of ascetic
Adjective
  • Lunchtimes are more abstemious with avocado and tuna packed poke bowls and watermelon salad at the W lounge.
    — Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
  • His first term now looks practically abstemious.
    — Erin Neil, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Definition of abstemious
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
Definition of abstinent
Adjective
  • Periwinkle prefers a temperate climate and needs a soil with a good amount of compost.
    — Mallory Carra, The Spruce, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Excellent and affordable Just 100 miles off Italy in the Mediterranean, Malta is a five-island nation with grand beaches, a temperate climate, low crime and an aura of intrigue.
    — William P. Barrett, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of temperate
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.

Browse Nearby Words

abstention
abstentious
abstinence
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Cite this Entry

“Abstentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstentious. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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