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 That means no social media accounts, personal possessions or handling money, and the practice of celibacy and modesty. — Deepa Bharath, Fortune, 17 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for celibacy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for celibacy

Noun

However, recovering their constituent materials at the required purity for reuse is technically challenging.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
Many brands offer lip service to the ingredient, especially on purity and sourcing.

— Rosa Jisoo Pyo, InStyle, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of purity

Noun

Rama soon learns that the people of Ayodhya are raising questions about Sita’s chastity after her captivity in Lanka and criticizing him for taking her back.

— Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
The government’s more expansive hijab and chastity law was suspended but not repealed.

— Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of chastity

Noun

For their winning project, the duo, who live and work between Paris and Luxembourg, collected sobriety tokens from members of abstinence groups, which represent the amount of time a person has been sober.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
People whose lives spiral when social media enters the picture might need to abstain, although doctors are finding that for behavioral addictions abstinence might not be feasible (screens are everywhere).

— Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 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 6 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of celibacy

noun

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