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 The temperance, abolition, and civil-rights movements in America were all motivated in part by religious convictions. — Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for temperance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for temperance

Noun

But only about 25% of participants successfully abstained 100%, a Civic Science analysis found, leaving room for a moderation approach like zebra striping.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Experts suggest role modeling moderation, such as eating produce and protein—and a treat here or there, too—can also help a child build truly healthy and sustainable eating habits.

— Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 22 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

The university, like campuses nationwide, is barred by federal privacy law from discussing individual discipline cases or internal deliberations, even when a student goes public.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Eisenhower possessed iron discipline, sunny self-confidence and a mind that loved organizational challenges.

— John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of discipline

Noun

According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, Romo performed poorly on field sobriety tests before getting arrested, booked and released.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Sanders tested positive for alcohol consumption on a portable device and performed poorly on the field sobriety test, the complaint says.

— Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of sobriety

Noun

If the answer is yes, then waiting ceases to be a strategy of restraint and begins to look like gradual erosion of power and strength.

— Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
Meghna Gulzar has a very distinctive voice and an ability to approach difficult subjects with both restraint and intensity.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of temperance

noun

Example Sentences

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