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
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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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On the other hand, gold bars that aren't from certified refiners may be harder to sell and could require assay testing to verify their purity.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
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These factors create wines with vibrant acidity, intense aromatics and exceptional varietal purity, according to the Cihlars.—
Michael Johnson,
Twin Cities,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Data discipline allows organizations to connect real-time industrial conditions to enterprise workflows, making sure decisions are based on trustworthy and contextual information.—
William Jones,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
-
His lack of messaging discipline has been on display after concerns about high costs of living helped propel Democratic wins around the country on Election Day last November.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Department of Homeland Security would be barred from using a full-body restraint device called the WRAP under a new bill introduced in the House on Wednesday.—
JASON DEAREN AND JIM MUSTIAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
26 Feb. 2026
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The restraint is noteworthy because the Kim regime often uses parades to showcase its most menacing weapons, and state propaganda has been leaning into weapons imagery recently.—
Will Ripley,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the case of Steve Jobs, his incredible strength in transcendence tips into excess because it is not supported by other dimensions of character, such as patience, calm, and self-regulation that come from temperance, and the humility and humanity to see other points of view.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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On a single day in 1900, a former schoolteacher destroyed three saloons using bricks, rocks, and a billiard ball—all to advance the cause of temperance.—
The Atlantic Science Desk,
The Atlantic,
27 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Gunn is in good company in the Hollywood celibacy club.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
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As the world outside begins to resemble the full-moon mating frenzy of the opalescent squid, crack open Sylvia Townsend Warner’s 1948 novel about nuns eking out an existence in a 14th-century convent and one night of celibacy might not seem so bad.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), a group that focuses on reporting repressions in Iran, over 6,000 have been confirmed dead and over 17,000 deaths are under investigation.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
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This practice dates back to the Soviet period but resurfaced as political repression increased after Putin’s return to the presidency in 2012.—
Elizaveta Gaufman,
The Conversation,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In a nutshell, chastity is the practice of orgasm denial, often through a device like a dedicated cage.—
Mikelle Street,
Them.,
1 Oct. 2025
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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
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The inhibition system is triggered by the possibility of punishment.—
Amy Cuddy,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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In a race to find out who caused this marital mayhem, emotions will be high, inhibitions will be low, and everyone will have access to an open bar.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Continence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continence. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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