Synonym Chooser

How is the word chaste distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of chaste are decent, modest, and pure. While all these words mean "free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious," chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows.

they maintained chaste relations

How are the words modest and decent related as synonyms of chaste?

Both modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity.

preferred more modest swimsuits
decent people didn't go to such movies

How do pure and chaste relate to one another?

Pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions.

the pure of heart

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 chaste By bedtime, Jeremiah and Huda are already making out under the covers and Belle-A has negotiated one chaste spoon with Nic, but no one else seems ready to get close. Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 4 June 2025 Our Lady was chaste, willingly, willfully passive, untainted by the grottiness of ordinary life. Lamorna Ash, The Dial, 6 May 2025 Some medieval and Renaissance artists, for example, portrayed Mary breast-feeding the infant Jesus at a chaste distance, such that the milk spurts of its own accord into his mouth. S. C. Cornell, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025 Hellbent on destroying the pure, chaste and overly self-righteous preacher who denied her satisfaction, Salome performs a seductive dance at her stepfather Herod’s birthday feast. E.r. Zarevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chaste
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chaste
Adjective
  • Gerald Genta Minute Repeater A pure minute repeater – without other high watchmaking functions as part of a grand-complication package – is a rare thing.
    Carol Besler, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Invisible pollutants unleashed To simulate real-world conditions, the researchers placed unused masks in beakers of ultra-pure water and left them at room temperature for 24 hours.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The three signs hang on the white fence, a nod to Lukas' pristine ways at his barn.
    Stephanie Kuzydym, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2025
  • After nine months of anticipation, Bill Belichick’s college debut started with pregame hype and hope and a pristine opening drive.
    David Ubben, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • To put it simply, the vibes were immaculate.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Part first-person shooter, part action-adventure game, BioShock delivers on immaculate art direction, top-notch gameplay, and a morality system that, while simple, is still very enjoyable to engage with.
    Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Making its debut at IFA this year, the Roborock Curv 2 Pro can raise itself even higher than its predecessor to clear plushy carpets or lower itself down for a better clean on low-pile rugs.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
  • With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Where Old-World Wallpaper Works Best Historically, wallpaper began adorning cupboard interiors and modest rooms of merchant homes.
    Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Allen led Buffalo to a 13-4 finish a year despite modest production from his receivers.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Ghibli managed to do it in a way that was relatively independent and unsullied of that business.
    Ryan Gaur, IndieWire, 10 June 2025
  • The crux of the change for Tarantino is that the experience of theater is still unsullied, whereas with movies, people are on their phones and the theatrical window is teeny tiny.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 28 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Chaste.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chaste. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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