as in ascetic
given to or marked by restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites
grew up in a family where abstinent behavior was expected and self-indulgence of any kind was scorned and castigated
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstinent
Adjective
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Quarantine by Jim Crace This 1997 novel follows Jesus during his 40-day ascetic retreat to a desert cave.—
Mia Barzilay Freund,
Vogue,
7 July 2025 -
Martin lived an ascetic and solitary life, and often denounced overly cerebral art.—
Melissa Febos,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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Some have evolved exceedingly specific diets—diets that would put even the most abstemious human to shame.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
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The solution offered up by some: the sort of abstemious, low-fat, often vegetarian, diets that had been prescribed as lust-control regimens only decades earlier.—
Rachel Hope Cleves / Made by History,
TIME,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The list includes places like Malta, a five-island nation with terrific beaches, a temperate climate and low crime, and Belize, the only Central American country with English as its official language.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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Rain put somewhat of a damper on things during the day Friday with stages closing early and the start time for the stadium shows pushed back to 9 p.m. But fans were still eager to enjoy the temperate 75-degree night with some of country music's biggest stars.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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After restoring his reputation, getting sober, sending his daughter to ballet school, and saving golf from the clutches of Frank Manatee's Maxi Golf league, Happy (Adam Sandler) is last seen waving goodbye to his kids and taking a moment to acknowledge his heavenly ghosts.—
Lauren Huff Published,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
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For court fashioned custody and visitation orders, the length of time a parent is sober is a good predictor of future sobriety.—
Patricia Fersch,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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The cross-continent trek for Rye Riptides, which students and now-retired Rye Junior High School science teacher Sheila Adams stuffed with photos of the Rye students, a facemask with their signatures on it, fall leaves, acorns and state quarters, was conducted with the help of Educational Passages.—
Ian Lenahan,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2022
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The totem pole was carved by members of the Lummi Nation and is being transported from their home in Washington state to Washington, D.C., as part of a 15-day, cross-continent journey to advocate for the protection of sacred places and the expansion of tribal sovereignty rights.—
Zak Podmore,
The Salt Lake Tribune,
18 July 2021
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Cite this Entry
“Abstinent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstinent. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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