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 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 For many traditionalists, effective enforcement of this teaching would mean cracking down on homosexuality among the clergy, including gay clergy who are celibate and chaste. Massimo Faggioli, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2018 See All Example Sentences for chaste
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chaste
Adjective
  • Well, despite Peaches dying, all Robbie got was a massive load of pure fentanyl.
    Grace Byron, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Soon, boundary-free mowing took hold, powered by new technologies like pure vision, UWB, and RTK—each with merits and drawbacks.
    Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The clash of pristine tailoring with naïve florals, seed beading and distressed leather.
    Blue Carreon, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The pristine bathroom will switch to something more ominous every time lightning strikes.
    Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Kyle Schwarber's fit with the Philadelphia Phillies is immaculate, but 29 other teams will get the chance to bid on him this winter anyway.
    Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • But why so immaculate, and why so radio-only?
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Don’t forget meds, food, clean ID tags, and anything else your dog might need on the trip.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Do that by using a clean rag or paper towel treated with a small amount of commercial cleaning or bleach solution, and rub them for as long as directed by the manufacturer's instructions.
    Audrey Bruno, SELF, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Combined with the tax credit and modest prices, making the jump to an EV now may be a wise decision.
    Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Falling consumption keeps price hike modest – up only 15% over five years.
    Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 13 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 18 Sep. 2025.

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