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
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
The individual is unable to perform, without substantial assistance from another person, at least two of the six activities of daily living (eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, and continence), and the inability is expected to last for an indefinite period.
—
James Lange,
Forbes.com,
19 May 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
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
Profligate spending under George W. Bush forever made laughable any Republican assertion of fiscal continence.
—
Christopher Buckley,
Washington Post,
5 Aug. 2022
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
The individual is unable to perform, without substantial assistance from another person, at least two of the six activities of daily living (eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, and continence), and the inability is expected to last for an indefinite period.
—
James Lange,
Forbes.com,
19 May 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
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
Profligate spending under George W. Bush forever made laughable any Republican assertion of fiscal continence.
—
Christopher Buckley,
Washington Post,
5 Aug. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for continence
Noun
-
The report concluded that gummies face stability challenges and that powders remain the more reliable format for hitting a clinical dose, with strong purity and low degradation across the brands tested.
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Due to Chantal’s philosophy of minimal intervention and restrained oak aging, the purity of the fruit, complex savory notes derived from the fractured sandstone soils, and a subtle hint of salinity ran through all of the wines.
Noun
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The conversation was no longer focused on accessibility as a discipline.
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These are professionals who have spent years working alongside some of the best filmmakers in the world and who bring an extraordinary level of expertise, discipline and problem solving to every production.
Noun
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Cornelius Houston will face charges of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit other felony and unlawful restraint, according to Fort Worth jail records.
-
Martin's family believes that the long paramedic response time, as well as restraint asphyxia caused by Oakland police officers, caused Martin's death.
Noun
-
In the winter of 1920, the United States entered Prohibition in the United States after years of campaigning by temperance groups who believed alcohol sat at the root of many social ills.
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Another was promoting temperance realizing alcoholism could destroy families.
Noun
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The Eternal Values promise Mierers lured followers in with discussions of enlightenment and mental clarity, often revolving around diet, exercise, celibacy, and the willingness to give up material possessions.
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The group encouraged awareness and emotional discipline, discouraged alcohol and drugs, and demanded celibacy in its early years.
Noun
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Advertisement Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership had been battling public anger over economic stress and state repression before the conflict.
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In occupied territories, Russian authorities have repeatedly used repression of religion to impose political control, weaken Ukrainian identity, and force communities into structures loyal to Moscow.
Noun
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Homer approves equally of the man’s satisfactions and the woman’s chastity.
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Youth media had a specific fixation on virginity and chastity just then.
Noun
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The little people are being menaced by a dark force—a force with power, money, and very few moral inhibitions.
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Shrug off inhibitions and break the ice as the moon and Uranus harmonize.
Cite this Entry
“Continence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continence. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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