1
as in temperance
voluntary restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites
a cleric vainly preaching abstinence in a world where self-indulgence is regarded as almost a virtue
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in purity
abstention from sexual intercourse
an AIDS-prevention program that relies primarily on abstinence
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abstinence
These new sodas are a way to balance decadence with abstinence.
—
Tariro Mzezewa, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Those returning to meat after long-term abstinence may experience digestive discomfort at first, according to WikiHow's guide on how to eat meat after being vegetarian.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
Early-stage fatty liver disease can reverse within weeks, while longer-term abstinence may even reverse some of the fibrosis.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
But outside, the infrastructure available to him was built on abstinence.
—Ethan Brooks, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstinence
Tariro Mzezewa, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Those returning to meat after long-term abstinence may experience digestive discomfort at first, according to WikiHow's guide on how to eat meat after being vegetarian.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
Early-stage fatty liver disease can reverse within weeks, while longer-term abstinence may even reverse some of the fibrosis.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
But outside, the infrastructure available to him was built on abstinence.
—Ethan Brooks, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstinence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstinence
Noun
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After all, this lakeside community — home to Northwestern University — was the epicenter of the American temperance movement.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
23 June 2025
-
Having unexpectedly come into a fortune when her husband died last season, Ada is putting her inheritance to use backing settlement houses and, to the horror of her sister Agnes, the temperance movement.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
That’s a sprawling site that has been operating since 2003, and where Iran had been enriching uranium up to 60% purity, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
21 June 2025
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These centrifuges had been enriching up to 5 percent purity, according to experts.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
Noun
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My interest in these figures long predated my interest in celibacy.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
11 June 2025
-
This is what makes asexuality different from celibacy or abstinence.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
7 June 2025
Noun
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He’s taken vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and lived in a community with other priests.—
Erika Page,
Christian Science Monitor,
8 May 2025
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The dismissal came after a more than year long dispute between the nuns and the diocese that began when Olson investigated a report that the nuns’ leader, the Rev. Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach, broke her chastity vows with a priest from outside the diocese.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In his Epistles, Paul grudgingly grants that marrying is better than burning with desire, but virginity is best.—
Spencer Strub,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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Just a normal night, losing his virginity to an LBH’s professional girlfriend and jerking off his big brother, followed by waking up naked beside said brother, who is also naked, without a woman in sight.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abstinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstinence. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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