as in purity
abstention from sexual intercourse
a widower who has maintained absolute celibacy since the death of his wife
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 celibacy
Gunn is in good company in the Hollywood celibacy club.
—
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
As the world outside begins to resemble the full-moon mating frenzy of the opalescent squid, crack open Sylvia Townsend Warner’s 1948 novel about nuns eking out an existence in a 14th-century convent and one night of celibacy might not seem so bad.
—Air Mail, 14 Feb. 2026
Nearly three centuries later, the Shaker founder could become an unlikely icon for Gen Z, who are bringing celibacy back in staggeringly high numbers, according to a slew of recent studies.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
The celibacy edict eventually contributed to the demise of the Harmonists, who left Indiana in 1824 and moved east to Economie, Pennsylvania.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for celibacy
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
As the world outside begins to resemble the full-moon mating frenzy of the opalescent squid, crack open Sylvia Townsend Warner’s 1948 novel about nuns eking out an existence in a 14th-century convent and one night of celibacy might not seem so bad.
—Air Mail, 14 Feb. 2026
Nearly three centuries later, the Shaker founder could become an unlikely icon for Gen Z, who are bringing celibacy back in staggeringly high numbers, according to a slew of recent studies.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
The celibacy edict eventually contributed to the demise of the Harmonists, who left Indiana in 1824 and moved east to Economie, Pennsylvania.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for celibacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for celibacy
Noun
-
Ultra-high-purity nitrogen gas flows into the mask, and that displaces breathable air until none is left.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
The purity of her purpose isn’t lost on those who watch her skate.—
Alice Park,
Time,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Youth media had a specific fixation on virginity and chastity just then.—
Vrinda Jagota,
Pitchfork,
6 June 2026
-
Augustinians also take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But he's benefited from his busy daily workload and a lifetime of abstinence from tobacco and alcohol, said his physician, Sean Barbabella.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
-
Rather than framing non-alcoholic beer around abstinence or restriction, the activations are designed to recreate the communal atmosphere traditionally associated with beer and live sports.—
Daphne Ewing-Chow,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Celibacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/celibacy. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
