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
If your health, your sense of yourself, and your general feeling-tone are improved by abstinence, more power to you.
—
James Parker, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2025
In the United States, the dominant view on how to manage addiction has traditionally been that abstinence is the best solution.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
This assumption persists, despite numerous studies’ showing that medication can reduce the risk of overdose far more than abstinence alone — and that in some cases abstinence may even increase the risk of overdose later.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
Here's what to know about Dry January, the alcohol abstinence challenge
Non-alcoholic beer and low alcohol on the rise
As sales of alcoholic beverages have plateaued, sales of non-alcoholic beer, drinks and spirits have intensified, up 27% in 2024.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstinence
James Parker, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2025
In the United States, the dominant view on how to manage addiction has traditionally been that abstinence is the best solution.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
This assumption persists, despite numerous studies’ showing that medication can reduce the risk of overdose far more than abstinence alone — and that in some cases abstinence may even increase the risk of overdose later.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
Here's what to know about Dry January, the alcohol abstinence challenge
Non-alcoholic beer and low alcohol on the rise
As sales of alcoholic beverages have plateaued, sales of non-alcoholic beer, drinks and spirits have intensified, up 27% in 2024.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstinence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstinence
Noun
-
Franklin’s virtues are: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility.—
Michael Maguire,
Boston Herald,
19 Aug. 2024
-
Supporters aligned with the temperance movement used Weston’s walks to advance their agenda—since Weston was a teetotaler, sponsors and cheerleaders trumpeted his feats as evidence that sobriety was healthy.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Medium-full, this offers excellent varietal purity, medium weight tannins, very good acidity and subtle wood notes.—
Tom Hyland,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
-
Iran retaliated by advancing its uranium enrichment up to 60% purity, closer to the roughly 90% level that is needed to make a bomb.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Pope Francis did not have any children given his vow of celibacy.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Benedict became a rallying point for right-wing Catholics incensed at Francis and his reforms — which included outreach to gay Catholics, relaxing rules on priestly celibacy and allowing divorced and remarried believers to receive communion.—
Howard Chua-Eoan,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
This is certainly true with regard to his chastity, which Catholic writers extol in devotional literature.—
Emily Harnett,
Harpers Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
In 1975, Judy Blume released Forever, a YA novel about a young woman falling in love for the first time and losing her virginity.—
Shannon Carlin,
Time,
8 May 2025
-
This season started with the Ratliff kids debating sleeping arrangements and continued with Saxon’s unnatural interest in Piper’s (Sarah Catherine Hook) possible virginity, as well as ongoing intimations of voyeurism and partner-sharing.—
Daniel Fienberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abstinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstinence. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share