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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abstinence
The most effective form of prevention appears to be lead-by-example abstinence.
—
Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
The podcaster, who's currently expecting a baby with husband Matt Howard, spoke on the Friday, April 3, episode of her Always Here podcast about her wedding night and what her experience with abstinence was like.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
The norms concerning meat abstinence apply to members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onward, and the norms of fasting are obligatory for Catholic followers aged 18 through 59, according to the conference.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
But the answer doesn’t seem to be total abstinence.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstinence
Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
The podcaster, who's currently expecting a baby with husband Matt Howard, spoke on the Friday, April 3, episode of her Always Here podcast about her wedding night and what her experience with abstinence was like.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
The norms concerning meat abstinence apply to members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onward, and the norms of fasting are obligatory for Catholic followers aged 18 through 59, according to the conference.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
But the answer doesn’t seem to be total abstinence.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstinence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstinence
Noun
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Moral judgments like these became part of the school curriculum in the late 19th century, as the temperance movement gained momentum toward its goal of total abstinence.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
3 May 2026
-
The temperance, abolition, and civil-rights movements in America were all motivated in part by religious convictions.—
Luis Parrales,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Reformation conducted a direct aesthetic and technical comparison between Project Latvus fabric and that made with wood pulp, concluding the wheat straw fabric was comparable in purity and presented no major quality concerns.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
1 June 2026
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His victim, in her unassailable purity, resists him, thereby proving that the arrivistes populating the ranks of England’s most upwardly mobile class had a moral edge over the nobility.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The Eternal Values promise Mierers lured followers in with discussions of enlightenment and mental clarity, often revolving around diet, exercise, celibacy, and the willingness to give up material possessions.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
1 June 2026
-
The group encouraged awareness and emotional discipline, discouraged alcohol and drugs, and demanded celibacy in its early years.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Augustinians also take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
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Having spent much of his adult life in the Order of St Augustine, whose friars and sisters take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience with a focus on unity and community, his priorities are unity and building bridges.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As previously announced, Burr plays a gruff American record-store owner who convinces a ragtag gang of teenage misfits that their best, and possibly only, chance to lose their virginity before graduating high school is at a massive open-air mass for the visiting Pope.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
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What was your reaction to the scene in which Niall loses his virginity to Mona, played by Charlotte Blackwood, while Ruben is in the room?—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abstinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstinence. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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