TEMPERANCE Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

temperance

noun

ˈtem-p(ə-)rən(t)s

Definition of temperance

as in temperateness

an avoidance of extremes in one's actions, beliefs, or habits my father attributes his ripe old age to temperance in all things, especially eating and drinking

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in abstinence

voluntary restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites practices a blue-blooded temperance that his parvenu neighbors will never understand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of temperance These are ideal rulers who exhibit all of the great virtues of wisdom, justice, courage, temperance and moderation. — Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 22 Feb. 2026 The financial incentive for airports and airlines to serve alcohol precludes temperance as a solution. — Thomas Black, Twin Cities, 21 Dec. 2025 Indiana is staunchly conservative, but its Republicans tend to foster a deliberate temperance. — Isabella Volmert, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for temperance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for temperance

Noun

The collection of patents covers a wide swath of elements associated with the rise of AI music, including moderation, watermarking, licensed distribution and monetization.

— Corbin Bolies, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
This led to a moderation in the growth of rural branches and credit until the mid-2000s.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of moderation

Noun

While harm reduction – a major component of opioid use disorder treatment – is being explored in alcohol use disorder, abstinence remains a mainstay of most approaches to this addiction.

— Marie Doyle, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026
The World Health Organization says that this is possible — that with moderate drinking, even after long periods of abstinence, there are lots of people who find success of clinical significance and life improvement.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of abstinence

Noun

Seventeen years later, Johnson has been appointed to the BART Police Civilian Review Board, giving him a formal role in reviewing misconduct findings, police policies and recommendations for officer discipline.

— Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
The administration further proposed ending data collection on racial disparities in school discipline.

— Claire Sibonney, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of discipline

Noun

Reddington argued that Vaughn's poor performance on field sobriety tests after refusing a breathalyzer was caused by the crash itself.

— Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026
Many insurers also still require proof of sobriety or documented cirrhosis before covering direct-acting antivirals.

— William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of sobriety

Noun

Inspired by Chelsea’s rich artistic, literary, and musical heritage, the interiors layer texture, color, and history with remarkable restraint.

— Nick Scott, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026
The shipping logjam at the canal continues to pile up, with the new restraints compounding prior traffic increases stemming from the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of restraint

Noun

It’s often affected by pressure changes in the abdominal cavity, particularly in pregnant or obese persons, which in turn affect urination and continence.

— Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2026
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

Definition of continence

Noun

Automatic contributions, delayed payment windows, small rituals that add friction to impulse spending — these are all behavioral architecture moves, not acts of self-denial.

— Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
At the beginning of her relationship with John, Carolyn’s central problem was that being part of the Kennedy family demanded some level of self-denial.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026

Definition of self-denial

Noun

Her vocation requires the skill of transformation and self-abnegation, as well as a receptiveness to language and emotion not her own.

— Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025
The audience responds gratefully to this level of self-abnegation, and the frankly chilling sounds that come out of her.

— Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2024

Definition of self-abnegation

Browse Nearby Words

temperaments

temperance

temperas

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“Temperance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temperance. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of temperance

noun

Example Sentences

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