intemperance

noun

in·​tem·​per·​ance (ˌ)in-ˈtem-p(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce intemperance (audio)
: lack of moderation
especially : habitual or excessive drinking of intoxicants

Examples of intemperance in a Sentence

in his harangue on the perils of drink, the prohibitionist claimed that intemperance has always been the number one destroyer of marriages there's a wearisome intemperance in his verbal attacks against any and all who dare to disagree with him
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Over a career that made headlines for landmark victories such as a six-figure judgment, later reversed, against LAPD Chief Daryl Gates, Yagman also became notorious for intemperance, most pointedly evidenced by his brutal characterization of a federal judge. Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2021 In a situation that forbids explicit expressions of intemperance or protest, mischief is the perfect solution. New York Times, 7 June 2022 Her attention to the vibrancy of our inner lives and to the barbed pleasure of sentimental intemperance has lately become more explicit. Rachelvoronacote, Longreads, 10 Aug. 2020 The intemperance alienated some suffragists, and by 1875, when Anthony drafted the amendment that would bear her name, the movement had split. USA Today, 26 Feb. 2020 Acton, whose Catholicism shaped every facet of his thought and work, identified this excess with a certain kind of Protestant intemperance. Yuval Levin, National Review, 31 Dec. 2019 Fifty years of putting up with discrimination, hatred and intemperance. Joe Lynch, Billboard, 1 July 2019 But that was the 1980s and 1990s, and nothing had prepared him for the intemperance of the night. Bradley Hope, WSJ, 15 Sep. 2018 But the most interesting response has been from Brennan allies warning him that his intemperance may be backfiring. William McGurn, WSJ, 20 Aug. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of intemperance was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near intemperance

Cite this Entry

“Intemperance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intemperance. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

intemperance

noun
in·​tem·​per·​ance (ˈ)in-ˈtem-p(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce intemperance (audio)
: lack of moderation or self-restraint
especially : excessive use of alcoholic beverages

Medical Definition

intemperance

noun
in·​tem·​per·​ance (ˈ)in-ˈtem-p(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce intemperance (audio)
: lack of moderation
especially : habitual or excessive drinking of intoxicants
intemperate adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on intemperance

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!