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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of continence
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
The pelvic floor muscles need to work in a coordinated pattern, relaxing to allow urine to flow and contracting to maintain continence, said Alexis E. Te, MD, a professor of urology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told Verywell.
—Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 3 Oct. 2025
Good posture helps maintain continence, support pelvic organs, and reduce back pain.
—Staci Tanouye, Parents, 29 Aug. 2023
Any chance Sally or Ed has anxiety, digestive or continence issues, hearing loss …?
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2023
Aging in the modern era is about slow unstoppable loss - of hearing, of memory, of mobility, of continence, of dignity.
—Kyle Munkittrick, Discover Magazine, 9 Sep. 2011
Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The pelvic floor muscles need to work in a coordinated pattern, relaxing to allow urine to flow and contracting to maintain continence, said Alexis E. Te, MD, a professor of urology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told Verywell.
—Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 3 Oct. 2025
Good posture helps maintain continence, support pelvic organs, and reduce back pain.
—Staci Tanouye, Parents, 29 Aug. 2023
Any chance Sally or Ed has anxiety, digestive or continence issues, hearing loss …?
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2023
Aging in the modern era is about slow unstoppable loss - of hearing, of memory, of mobility, of continence, of dignity.
—Kyle Munkittrick, Discover Magazine, 9 Sep. 2011
Recent Examples of Synonyms for continence
Noun
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Synthesizing a pencil-size sample in a robotic lab is far from producing tonnes of it at semiconductor purity or certifying it for aircraft use.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The lace in her dress symbolized both wealth and purity, an appealing combination for brides who hoped for prosperous unions.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
How has intersecting those two disciplines (acting and music) been like when creating the album’s concept?—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Beyond Film serves as a community hub for attendees, offering artist discussions, conversations with filmmakers and experts from various disciplines, and opportunities for audience engagement.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
While objecting to restraints, Robinson’s attorneys agree with the sheriff that the court should limit or ban video and photographic coverage of proceedings.—
Stepheny Price , Melissa Chrise,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
-
To complement the architecture’s rigor, the current owners turned to designer André Mellone of Studio Mellone, known for his elegant restraint and understanding of proportion.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The temperance movement, which aimed to reduce alcohol use, gained steam in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The movie clip reveals how much temperance, humanity, and transcendence Mary Jackson needs to navigate a system that has embedded injustices that few see or understand.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This assertion that Mary was a child of a well-to-do family might have some historical validity since this text was composed at a time when the poverty and celibacy of the Holy Family had become associated with her nunlike virtue.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Sheen is one of a number of celebrities who have been open about going through periods of celibacy.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
If pushback fails now, whether through courts, through Congress or through public protest, the bulwark that exists between national security and political repression may collapse entirely.—
Jason M. Blazakis,
Mercury News,
18 Oct. 2025
-
History’s rhythm is steady—accusation, repression, regret.—
Alexis Coe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In a nutshell, chastity is the practice of orgasm denial, often through a device like a dedicated cage.—
Mikelle Street,
Them.,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The title that has become attached to the painting over time curiously characterizes the Virgin Mary by the fruit, perhaps in recognition of her chastity, especially when considered in the context of Persephone’s myth.—
Demir Alp,
JSTOR Daily,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The key is to relax, let go of your inhibitions, and just have fun.—
Kimberly Zapata,
Parents,
17 Oct. 2025
-
On-demand male contraception via acute inhibition of soluble adenylyl cyclase.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Continence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continence. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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