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
  • Lakshmana’s final act of service occurs when Kala (time personified), disguised as an ascetic messenger, requests a private audience with Rama.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • But there is a certain ascetic simplicity to this labyrinthine heritage building that remains relatively unadorned.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of ascetic
Adjective
  • How demographics and diversification shape Suntory’s strategy Investors have grown concerned that young consumers are more abstemious than their parents were at the same age.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of abstemious
Adjective
  • The body of research on non-abstinent recovery has been growing as well.
    — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Not everybody needs to spend the rest of their life totally abstinent with a cup of shitty coffee in a Styrofoam cup regurgitating platitudes.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of abstinent
Adjective
  • The best months for a temperate visit are March to May and September to November.
    — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 2 Nov. 2026
  • On the other side is Gadi Eisenkot, a centrist former military chief who is temperate and broadly liked but lacks the political instincts to become a clear favorite.
    — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 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 14 Nov. 2026.

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