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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of temperance
In the case of Steve Jobs, his incredible strength in transcendence tips into excess because it is not supported by other dimensions of character, such as patience, calm, and self-regulation that come from temperance, and the humility and humanity to see other points of view.
—
Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 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
Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 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
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These investors, by virtue of their financial position or contractual rights, could obtain influence — direct or indirect — over business decisions that bear upon editorial independence, content moderation, distribution priorities, or the stewardship of Americans’ private data.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
10 Dec. 2025
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But, as with most things, moderation is key.—
Kathi Valeii Published,
Verywell Health,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
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These bouts of abstinence and punishment would work for a while but, like garden weeds, the pounds would always come back.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
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While advocating that kids simply avoid drugs and alcohol may seem instinctual, research shows that this strategy doesn’t typically lead to abstinence.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
3 May 2026
Noun
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These individuals are deeply collaborative, mission-driven and eager to innovate at the intersections of disciplines.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
-
Over generations, those discipline practices have evolved into modern parenting practices.—
Nia Dumas,
NPR,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
How is your sobriety journey going?—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
10 June 2026
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Current tests all show complete and continued sobriety.—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
9 June 2026
Noun
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Smith died of cardiac arrest combined with acute behavioral disturbance, cocaine use and holding restraint, The Times reported.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
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Its silhouettes celebrate confidence rather than restraint, with collections that carry references to Brazilian culture, landscape and energy without apology.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Like Saint Augustine, Republicans want chastity and continence -- but not yet.—
Michael F. Cannon,
National Review,
2 July 2025
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This includes the five major types: stress incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, overflow incontinence, and functional continence.—
Jamin Brahmbhatt,
Verywell Health,
29 July 2024
Noun
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Saint Anthony was an Egyptian monk whose relics were brought to France during the Crusades in the Middle Ages, after inspiring many people to take up seclusion and self-denial.—
Alex Ledsom,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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Crace transports readers two thousand years into the past to a stark Biblical landscape full of visceral encounters, violence, self-denial, and possible miracles.—
Mia Barzilay Freund,
Vogue,
7 July 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Temperance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temperance. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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