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
This includes the five major types: stress incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, overflow incontinence, and functional continence.
—
Jamin Brahmbhatt, Verywell Health, 29 July 2024
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
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
To maintain continence, the puborectalis muscle chokes the anal canal.
—Cara Schacter, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2022
But even with the delayed start, most healthy, neurotypical kids achieve at least daytime continence by age three.
—Leah Campbell, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2021
Share prices have soared for large Danish health companies such as Coloplast — a major player in the market for colostomy pouches, continence and skin and wound care treatments — and Genmab, a biotech company specializing in cancer treatments.
—Matt Phillips, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2020
Jamin Brahmbhatt, Verywell Health, 29 July 2024
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
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
To maintain continence, the puborectalis muscle chokes the anal canal.
—Cara Schacter, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2022
But even with the delayed start, most healthy, neurotypical kids achieve at least daytime continence by age three.
—Leah Campbell, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2021
Share prices have soared for large Danish health companies such as Coloplast — a major player in the market for colostomy pouches, continence and skin and wound care treatments — and Genmab, a biotech company specializing in cancer treatments.
—Matt Phillips, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for continence
Noun
-
The agencies then market the idols as paragons of innocence to a mostly male, older fanbase that prizes their looks, perceived purity and emotional accessibility over their limited skill as pop performers.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2025
-
Third-party testing To address claims of effectiveness from brands, many reputable manufacturers utilize third-party testing to validate the quality and purity of their ingredients.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
13 May 2025
Noun
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For most of the season, the Mets have maintained their plate discipline; their 18.6 percent strikeout rate with runners in scoring position ranks as the fifth-best in MLB.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
-
Moody’s Ratings recently downgraded the U.S.’s AAA rating, citing doubts about the country’s ability to maintain fiscal discipline.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
What Happens Next Escalating tensions between India and Pakistan have prompted calls from the U.S. and world powers urging both sides to exercise restraint and pursue diplomatic de-escalation.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
-
Drug companies in the U.S. face few restraints on what to charge for their products.—
David Armstrong,
ProPublica,
9 May 2025
Noun
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This memoir is a record of a life spent prioritizing adventure over prudence, indulgence over temperance.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2025
-
He’s now deemed heroic in adhering to the Seven Virtues -- faith, hope, charity, prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.—
Brian T. Allen,
National Review,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Pope Francis did not have any children given his vow of celibacy.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Benedict became a rallying point for right-wing Catholics incensed at Francis and his reforms — which included outreach to gay Catholics, relaxing rules on priestly celibacy and allowing divorced and remarried believers to receive communion.—
Howard Chua-Eoan,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
For Black Americans, the history of repression of education runs even deeper.—
Karida L. Brown,
Essence,
21 May 2025
-
After 2012, when Putin returned to the presidency, the Kremlin began tightening its grip on Russia’s elites, embracing an archaic militarism, and widening its repression of civil society.—
ANDREI YAKOVLEV,
Foreign Affairs,
16 May 2025
Noun
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He’s taken vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and lived in a community with other priests.—
Erika Page,
Christian Science Monitor,
8 May 2025
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The dismissal came after a more than year long dispute between the nuns and the diocese that began when Olson investigated a report that the nuns’ leader, the Rev. Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach, broke her chastity vows with a priest from outside the diocese.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Its inhibition was leveled at the thing, not the name.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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Just in time for the full moon in Libra on April 12, Luna will illuminate your 12th house of secrets, inhibitions and unconscious patterns, urging you to let go of patterns that no longer serve you.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Continence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continence. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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