temperance

noun

ˈtem-p(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce temperance (audio)
Definition of temperancenext
1
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
2
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
  1. moderation
  2. abstinence
  3. discipline
  4. sobriety
  5. restraint
  6. continence
  7. self-denial
  8. self-abnegation
Noun
  • However, a moderation error caused a delay in the livestream’s removal.
    — Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Just as social media has no value without people, content moderation can’t succeed without human judgment at the forefront.
    — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of moderation
Noun
  • To qualify for grants, organizations must now teach that abstinence is the only way to prevent pregnancy.
    — Ellie Austin, Fortune, 22 July 2026
  • Over six months, recurrent atrial fibrillation or flutter occurred less frequently in the coffee group than in the abstinence group.
    — Robert Glatter, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of abstinence
Noun
  • Without the ball, that discipline will be non-negotiable, but Villa’s real chance may lie in transition.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • More often, it is limited by access to capital, bonding capacity, leadership talent and operational discipline.
    — Nikhil Chandankhede, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of discipline
Noun
  • During deliberation, jurors received a read-back of excerpts of testimony of a police officer on Hampton’s performance on field sobriety tests after the crash on Interstate 20, near Texas 360, in December 2021, and on a preliminary breath test.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Jackson would not cooperate with field sobriety tests, state police said.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of sobriety
Noun
  • If your motivation is to prevent someone else from continuing to live a lie, approach the situation with restraint.
    — Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Exchanges would also need to implement new trading restraints.
    — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 7 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

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temperaments
temperance
temperas
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Cite this Entry

“Temperance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temperance. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on temperance

Nglish: Translation of temperance for Spanish Speakers

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