CELIBACY Synonyms: 16 Similar and Opposite Words

celibacy

noun

ˈse-lə-bə-sē

Definition of celibacy

as in purity

abstention from sexual intercourse a widower who has maintained absolute celibacy since the death of his wife

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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 The Eternal Values promise Mierers lured followers in with discussions of enlightenment and mental clarity, often revolving around diet, exercise, celibacy, and the willingness to give up material possessions. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 1 June 2026 The group encouraged awareness and emotional discipline, discouraged alcohol and drugs, and demanded celibacy in its early years. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 1 June 2026 Following Landsman's arrest, Lindsie revealed on the May 18 episode of her podcast, The Southern Tea that she's taken a yearlong vow of celibacy. — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026 With few exceptions, most priests also take a vow of celibacy (married men can become priests in Eastern Rite churches). — Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for celibacy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for celibacy

Noun

Higher isotope purity The team also focused on Fm-257 amid growing interest in the element.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026
But the Pilbara holds the world’s biggest reserves of iron ore—with 60% purity—the essential ingredient for making steel, and hence, for building much of our modern lives.

— Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of purity

Noun

The government’s more expansive hijab and chastity law was suspended but not repealed.

— Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
The only exception comes once a year, when the nationwide chastity mandate is temporarily lifted and the use of protection is mandatory.

— Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of chastity

Noun

Much of the general public, however, hasn’t caught up to these developments, which remain strongly discouraged and criticized by the abstinence support group space — especially proponents of AA.

— Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
Rather, its experience shows that reducing the harms of drug use requires painstakingly building and sustaining a system that connects people with treatment, healthcare and social support without making abstinence a precondition for receiving help.

— Karyn Sporer, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of abstinence

Browse Nearby Words

celestial

celibacy

celibate

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“Celibacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/celibacy. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of celibacy

noun

Example Sentences

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