Definition of chastenext

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 There were other stories that bothered him more, like a post by a writer who recounted a chaste one-night stand with Tea Party activist and Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell that described her pubic hair. — Frank Digiacomo, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026 The songwriting is so chaste and disembodied that an Old Hollywood censor would have no problem greenlighting it. — Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 20 Apr. 2026 Rue’s comparatively chaste behavior this season — including in scenes with high school love Jules (the always magnetic Hunter Schafer) — feels like a concession to Zendaya’s huge star power and public image. — Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026 Most notable of these other wives is Vrinda, the chaste wife of the demon Jalandhar. — Jessica Vantine Birkenholtz, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chaste
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chaste
Adjective
  • The South Korean head of state concluded a successful official visit to Mexico this week with a stop that was pure K-pop, featuring one of his country’s most representative musical groups.
    — Natalia Cano, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2026
  • This is pure comfort, but keeping slippers on the first, second, and third floor means never having to go up or down possibly three flights of stairs to locate them.
    — Jenny Hughes, The Spruce, 26 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Their sound profile, while not as neutral and pristine as their sibling’s, is still excellent, delivering crisp and lively audio that matches up with almost any other entry on this list.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Next, save 20% on the premium Logitech G Astro A50 gaming headset, packing pristine wireless audio and multi-platform connectivity.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 25 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • His homemaker mother Leonor (a superb Maude Sandham) and his 17-year-old sister Ilse (Karoline Watson) complete the immaculate family portrait, but there’s unrest there too.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Please enjoy every pitch of Payton Tolle's immaculate inning.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Rooms The resort's 364 resort-facing guest rooms, including 16 suites, are clean, airy, and contemporary, with white and cream tones and hard-surface floors.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Return the wings to the clean rack in a single layer with a little space between each piece.
    — Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Still, its overseas growth remains modest next to Luckin’s China scale.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Economic impact likely to be modest The economic impact is likely to be minimal.
    — Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • In Lee Cronin’s The Mummy, evil is a native sickness that contaminates an otherwise perfect, unsullied child of empire.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
  • But the prosecutor leading the case against the Tates, Rareș Stan, had an unsullied reputation.
    — Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chaste.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chaste. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster