Synonyms of continence

continence

noun

ˈkän-tə-nən(t)s 

1

as in purity

abstention from sexual intercourse

argued for a pregnancy-prevention program that did not put so much faith in the continence of teenagers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• purity
• celibacy
• chastity
• abstinence
• virginity
• chasteness
• virtue
• modesty
• innocence
• honor

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• licentiousness
• debauchery
• lechery
• venery
• whoring
• wenching

2

as in discipline

the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others

experiencing a moment of unusual continence, I refrained from returning her gratuitous insult

Synonyms & Similar Words

• discipline
• restraint
• repression
• inhibition
• suppression
• composure
• self-control
• constraint
• discretion
• self-command
• self-restraint
• reserve
• refrainment
• possession
• control
• mastery
• willpower
• self-mastery
• modesty
• self-discipline
• self-containment
• bashfulness
• will
• silence
• self-denial
• distance
• aloofness
• command
• self-government
• reticence
• self-possession
• shyness
• taciturnity
• self-censorship
• detachedness
• self-poise

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incontinence
• disinhibition
• gratification
• indulgence
• unconstraint
• frankness
• candor
• overindulgence
• bluntness
• uninhibitedness
• self-abandonment
• intemperance
• unrestrainedness
• self-indulgence
• immoderacy

3

as in restraint

the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions

a religious sect that demanded nearly superhuman continence from its adherents

Synonyms & Similar Words

• restraint
• temperance
• self-control
• nerve
• willpower
• composure
• determination
• self-mastery
• will
• self-discipline
• discipline
• self-command
• self-containment
• self-restraint
• temperateness
• self-government
• confidence
• self-possession
• assurance
• moderation
• abstinence
• abnegation
• self-abnegation
• avoidance
• mastery
• abstention
• equanimity
• sobriety
• self-denial
• control
• forbearance
• soberness
• moderateness
• poise
• self-confidence
• command
• coolness
• eschewal
• discretion
• aplomb

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gratification
• indulgence
• intemperance
• overindulgence
• vice
• weakness
• failing
• feebleness
• excessiveness
• frailty
• self-indulgence
• shortcoming
• fault
• demerit
• foible
• intemperateness
• unrestraint
• indiscipline
• immoderacy
• unreserve
• unconstraint
• unreservedness

4

as in temperance

voluntary restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites

a gambling mecca that has a reputation for being the sort of place where caution and continence are thrown to the wind

Synonyms & Similar Words

• temperance
• abstinence
• discipline
• sobriety
• restraint
• self-abnegation
• self-denial
• forbearance
• self-control
• control
• asceticism
• self-mastery
• self-discipline
• self-command
• austerity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• greed
• rapacity
• gluttony
• sensuality
• voracity
• self-indulgence
• rapaciousness
• hedonism
• voraciousness
• sybaritism

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of continence

After the second session, the authors reported that the woman had even greater speech capabilities, more facial expressions and humor, increased walking agility and continued continence. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026

These are the muscles that play a critical role in supporting our pelvic organs and maintaining continence. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2026

The pelvic floor supports the pelvic organs (the bladder, uterus and bowel), controls the body’s continence mechanisms and helps with core stability. — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

Good posture helps maintain continence, support pelvic organs, and reduce back pain. — Staci Tanouye, Parents, 29 Aug. 2023