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
In this way, celibacy was part of the long tradition of all feminist practices.
—
Hazlitt, 11 June 2025
Around 2016, after a particularly painful breakup, the Body Work author decided to do something radical: give up on dating and give celibacy a try.
—Shannon Carlin, Time, 22 May 2025
As a result, he is viewed with skepticism by conservatives who considered the process a threat to church unity, given it involved debating issues such as celibacy, homosexuality and women’s ordination.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Here’s the thing: the women of history had so many good reasons for choosing celibacy.
—Hazlitt, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for celibacy
Hazlitt, 11 June 2025
Around 2016, after a particularly painful breakup, the Body Work author decided to do something radical: give up on dating and give celibacy a try.
—Shannon Carlin, Time, 22 May 2025
As a result, he is viewed with skepticism by conservatives who considered the process a threat to church unity, given it involved debating issues such as celibacy, homosexuality and women’s ordination.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Here’s the thing: the women of history had so many good reasons for choosing celibacy.
—Hazlitt, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for celibacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for celibacy
Noun
-
That money shifts college sports even further away from purity and closer to payola.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Specifically saying these white, thin, traditionally feminine bodies are not just aspirational but symbols of morality, tradition, purity.—
Mekishana Pierre,
EW.com,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
The Sisters of Mercy are an international community of Roman Catholic women who dedicate their lives to the Gospel of Jesus and take vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and service.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
2 July 2025
-
The residents of the house had taken vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.—
Raul A. Reyes,
NBC news,
29 June 2025
Noun
-
Well, abstinence is always an option (albeit an impractical one).—
Zahra Thompson,
SELF,
2 July 2025
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Studies show people with high novelty-seeking scores are more likely to start substance use and more likely to relapse after abstinence.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Celibacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/celibacy. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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