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
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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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What natural wine has changed First of all, natural wine has helped reawaken and shift demand to lighter, fresher wines with more purity, zing, energy and personality as opposed to the once-popular oaky and powerful alcoholic ones.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Storrie asked in an attempt to preserve even an ounce of purity.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Eberflus’ best intentions and vision for winning football disintegrated due in part to his team’s lack of discipline and the coaching staff’s inability to steer out of even the smallest skids.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
However, the Chinese researchers argue that those systems typically focus on fewer disciplines and often require manual adjustments when expanded.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Chef David Richter cooks with confidence and restraint (his mole is the real deal); co-owner Jessica Richter manages the dining room.—
Hannah Howard,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The kitchen, a blank slate designed by Zazueta with selections guided by Thacker, balances modern living with historic restraint.—
Gina Mayfield,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The financial incentive for airports and airlines to serve alcohol precludes temperance as a solution.—
Thomas Black,
Twin Cities,
21 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Their number grew while the utopian community lived in New Harmony thanks to a celibacy edict put in place by their founder George Rapp in 1807.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
30 Dec. 2025
-
Foundational Shaker beliefs, such as celibacy and gender equality, were incompatible with the outside world, so Lee’s followers built their own.—
Lila Allen,
Architectural Digest,
26 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Iran’s spiraling anti-government protests have been driven by widespread anger over political repression and economic hardship, including rising inflation.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
-
In the wake of Maduro’s capture — with repression continuing, prisoners still behind bars and Venezuela’s future being negotiated around oil and power — Ramírez sees the film as both testimony and warning.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Jan. 2026
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
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Most of those seeds require some bit of cold weather exposure or other mitigating factor to overcome the inhibition and set the stage for a more sensible spring germination.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
21 Nov. 2025
-
The key is to relax, let go of your inhibitions, and just have fun.—
Kimberly Zapata,
Parents,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Continence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continence. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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