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
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Recent Examples of abstinent
Some people want to remain abstinent to focus on their own personal growth, while others have resorted to it after becoming frustrated with today's dating culture.
—
Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
Ivan Neville has been on a few times and always talks being abstinent.
—Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
As a purist, Murray defines sobriety as being completely abstinent from habit-forming substances that could cause dependency, including prescription drugs like Xanax and Suboxone.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025
Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
Ivan Neville has been on a few times and always talks being abstinent.
—Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
As a purist, Murray defines sobriety as being completely abstinent from habit-forming substances that could cause dependency, including prescription drugs like Xanax and Suboxone.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstinent
Adjective
-
Later in life Foucault will become more ascetic, but not yet.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
During pilgrimages, monks observe a strict ascetic code, often including sleeping under trees and eating one meal per day.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Lunchtimes are more abstemious with avocado and tuna packed poke bowls and watermelon salad at the W lounge.—
Jemima Sissons,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
-
His first term now looks practically abstemious.—
Erin Neil,
New Yorker,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
At the time, the region was an upland environment surrounded by hot, arid plains — dramatically different from the green, temperate British countryside today.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Feb. 2026
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This region is similar to the Northeast but slightly more temperate and with more regular rainfall.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Now sober, Cortez has come out the other side, and once more is on the cusp of letting his good prevail over his bad.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Affordable happy hour The restaurant was designed to be friendly to sober drinkers and gluten-free and meat-free eaters.—
Sarah Blaskovich,
Dallas Morning News,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The multi-continent international scenario does not sit well with several 49ers, who also will play games from coast to coast in the United States.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
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Goodee has one of the best stocks of artisan-made, one-of-a-kind homewares that don’t require a cross-continent trip to collect.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
30 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abstinent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstinent. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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