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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in purity
abstention from sexual intercourse
an AIDS-prevention program that relies primarily on abstinence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 abstinence
Sources also detailed how Tait had allegedly long abused drugs and alcohol, despite years of encouraging sobriety and abstinence in his music.
—
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 13 June 2025
The six books below describe other forms of abundance found, counterintuitively, through abstinence.
—Melissa Febos, The Atlantic, 9 June 2025
This is what makes asexuality different from celibacy or abstinence.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 7 June 2025
Febos met her wife shortly after ending her abstinence.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstinence
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 13 June 2025
The six books below describe other forms of abundance found, counterintuitively, through abstinence.
—Melissa Febos, The Atlantic, 9 June 2025
This is what makes asexuality different from celibacy or abstinence.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 7 June 2025
Febos met her wife shortly after ending her abstinence.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstinence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstinence
Noun
-
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
-
After all, this lakeside community — home to Northwestern University — was the epicenter of the American temperance movement.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
His timbre, almost unearthly in its purity, could carry over the orchestra and through Jarvis Hall on luster alone.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2025
-
Domaine Roy & Fils produces organic Pinot Noir, emphasizing the purity of fruit and terroir.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
On June 8, Pashinyan called for Karekin II to resign after accusing him of fathering a child despite a vow of celibacy.—
Avet Demourian,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2025
-
My interest in these figures long predated my interest in celibacy.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
11 June 2025
Noun
-
The Sisters of Mercy are an international community of Roman Catholic women who dedicate their lives to the Gospel of Jesus and take vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and service.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
2 July 2025
-
The residents of the house had taken vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.—
Raul A. Reyes,
NBC news,
29 June 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share