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
The time to reoccurrence was longer in the coffee consumption group than in the abstinence group.
—
Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Shokuhin sampuru is a century-old craft, but this faux feast felt strangely apt in a contemporary culinary-dietary culture that tries to decouple food from taste, encouraging eating with your eyes as a form of abstinence, rather than as a prelude to a meal.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025
Terms of UsePrivacy Policy Terms of UsePrivacy Policy What has surprised me the most is how empowering abstinence has been—not in a restrictive way, but in a liberating, deeply personal way.
—Essence, 3 Dec. 2025
Many of the efforts to help kids navigate social media are sold with the throwback language of abstinence and purity.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstinence
Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Shokuhin sampuru is a century-old craft, but this faux feast felt strangely apt in a contemporary culinary-dietary culture that tries to decouple food from taste, encouraging eating with your eyes as a form of abstinence, rather than as a prelude to a meal.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025
Terms of UsePrivacy Policy Terms of UsePrivacy Policy What has surprised me the most is how empowering abstinence has been—not in a restrictive way, but in a liberating, deeply personal way.
—Essence, 3 Dec. 2025
Many of the efforts to help kids navigate social media are sold with the throwback language of abstinence and purity.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstinence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstinence
Noun
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On a single day in 1900, a former schoolteacher destroyed three saloons using bricks, rocks, and a billiard ball—all to advance the cause of temperance.—
The Atlantic Science Desk,
The Atlantic,
27 Dec. 2025
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The financial incentive for airports and airlines to serve alcohol precludes temperance as a solution.—
Thomas Black,
Twin Cities,
21 Dec. 2025
Noun
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This emphasis on both design purity and technical refinement elevates the Sweptail beyond a typical bespoke build.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Suburbia offered the illusion of moral purity, deepening social segregation as highways allowed a quick access to and from the city centre.—
Fahad Zuberi,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Their number grew while the utopian community lived in New Harmony thanks to a celibacy edict put in place by their founder George Rapp in 1807.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
30 Dec. 2025
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Foundational Shaker beliefs, such as celibacy and gender equality, were incompatible with the outside world, so Lee’s followers built their own.—
Lila Allen,
Architectural Digest,
26 Dec. 2025
Noun
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In a nutshell, chastity is the practice of orgasm denial, often through a device like a dedicated cage.—
Mikelle Street,
Them.,
1 Oct. 2025
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The title that has become attached to the painting over time curiously characterizes the Virgin Mary by the fruit, perhaps in recognition of her chastity, especially when considered in the context of Persephone’s myth.—
Demir Alp,
JSTOR Daily,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The history of side-saddle, for example, comes from the fear that riding astride risks breaking a woman’s hymen, compromising the evidence of her virginity and, therefore, her value.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
13 Nov. 2025
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Spelling's character lost her virginity to her long-time boyfriend David (Brian Austin Green) in season seven, while the moment came much earlier for other characters.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abstinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstinence. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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