1
as in temperance
voluntary restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites
a cleric vainly preaching abstinence in a world where self-indulgence is regarded as almost a virtue
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in purity
abstention from sexual intercourse
an AIDS-prevention program that relies primarily on abstinence
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abstinence
The podcaster, who's currently expecting a baby with husband Matt Howard, spoke on the Friday, April 3, episode of her Always Here podcast about her wedding night and what her experience with abstinence was like.
—
Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are mandatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
But the answer doesn’t seem to be total abstinence.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Millions of Muslims around the world every year observe Ramadan, a period of prayer, reflection and abstinence that coincides with the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstinence
Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are mandatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
But the answer doesn’t seem to be total abstinence.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Millions of Muslims around the world every year observe Ramadan, a period of prayer, reflection and abstinence that coincides with the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstinence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstinence
Noun
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Moral judgments like these became part of the school curriculum in the late 19th century, as the temperance movement gained momentum toward its goal of total abstinence.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
3 May 2026
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The temperance, abolition, and civil-rights movements in America were all motivated in part by religious convictions.—
Luis Parrales,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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If the assassination made the President a Christlike figure, his forbearance in the face of a wife’s unreasonableness provides him with an extra measure of purity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
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Riley acknowledges that there is rarely ethically pure money to be found in the world, so that financing for something like a feature film will likely have to come from sources unlikely to pass strict purity tests.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
Noun
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With few exceptions, most priests also take a vow of celibacy (married men can become priests in Eastern Rite churches).—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Mar. 2026
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Gunn is in good company in the Hollywood celibacy club.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Augustinians also take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
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Having spent much of his adult life in the Order of St Augustine, whose friars and sisters take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience with a focus on unity and community, his priorities are unity and building bridges.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As previously announced, Burr plays a gruff American record-store owner who convinces a ragtag gang of teenage misfits that their best, and possibly only, chance to lose their virginity before graduating high school is at a massive open-air mass for the visiting Pope.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
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What was your reaction to the scene in which Niall loses his virginity to Mona, played by Charlotte Blackwood, while Ruben is in the room?—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abstinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstinence. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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