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

It’s often affected by pressure changes in the abdominal cavity, particularly in pregnant or obese persons, which in turn affect urination and continence. — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2026

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