as in purity
abstention from sexual intercourse
a widower who has maintained absolute celibacy since the death of his wife
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Recent Examples of celibacy
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
While in prison for blasphemy, Lee had a risqué vision of Adam and Eve, and concluded that celibacy was the cure for worldly temptation.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
But many outsiders were also alarmed by their ritual dances, whose intensity and emotion demonstrated a physicality seemingly incongruous with their celibacy.
—Christian Goodwillie, The Conversation, 22 Dec. 2025
Omarion has been very open about his intense celibacy experience in the past, previously discussing it last summer during a sit-down with the Know Thyself podcast.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for celibacy
Lila Allen, Architectural Digest, 26 Dec. 2025
While in prison for blasphemy, Lee had a risqué vision of Adam and Eve, and concluded that celibacy was the cure for worldly temptation.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
But many outsiders were also alarmed by their ritual dances, whose intensity and emotion demonstrated a physicality seemingly incongruous with their celibacy.
—Christian Goodwillie, The Conversation, 22 Dec. 2025
Omarion has been very open about his intense celibacy experience in the past, previously discussing it last summer during a sit-down with the Know Thyself podcast.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for celibacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for celibacy
Noun
-
Iran has long refused to give up its enrichment capabilities, insisting the program is intended for peaceful purposes, though in recent years, Iran has enriched uranium to near weapons-grade level, well beyond the purity levels required for most peaceful uses.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
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The result is essentially an arbitrary purity test that tightens capital access necessary for creating American jobs and stimulating local economies.—
Krish O'Mara Vignarajah,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Mar. 2026
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
-
The fasting and abstinence are to practice self-control and come from the original penitence practice of the observation.—
Matthew Kayser,
Ascend Agency,
26 Feb. 2026
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Holy Thursday isn't considered a day of fasting or abstinence.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Celibacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/celibacy. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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