variants
also ascetical
as in monastic
formal
relating to or having a strict and simple way of living that avoids physical pleasure
He committed to having an ascetic existence during his rehab. an ascetic diet of rice and beans
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in prude
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ascetic
Deepa Das Acevedo, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2019
The tale of Alexander the Great and the ascetic Diogenes illustrates my point.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 1 Dec. 2024
His personal life also provides plenty of fodder for the curious: Mondrian had a series of liaisons with women, and probably men as well, but lived alone in an ascetic studio.
—Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 23 Nov. 2024
In their propaganda videos, the men appeared as ascetic warriors, sitting on the ground in caves, studying in libraries, or taking refuge in remote camps.
—Audrey Kurth Cronin, Foreign Affairs, 18 Feb. 2015
See All Example Sentences for ascetic
Adjective
As a celibate ascetic, Ayyappan should be spared the tempting presence of fertile women—that is, women between menarche and menopause.
—Deepa Das Acevedo, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2019
The tale of Alexander the Great and the ascetic Diogenes illustrates my point.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 1 Dec. 2024
His personal life also provides plenty of fodder for the curious: Mondrian had a series of liaisons with women, and probably men as well, but lived alone in an ascetic studio.
—Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 23 Nov. 2024
In their propaganda videos, the men appeared as ascetic warriors, sitting on the ground in caves, studying in libraries, or taking refuge in remote camps.
—Audrey Kurth Cronin, Foreign Affairs, 18 Feb. 2015
See All Example Sentences for ascetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ascetic
Adjective
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On a cold night in Stockholm, the monastic artist opens his door for a candid interview about his music, his ongoing quest for the divine, and what’s really real behind the de facto leader of Drain Gang.—
Meaghan Garvey,
Pitchfork,
25 Feb. 2025
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Paro Taktsang, Bhutan The Buddhist monastic tradition has two sides, says Matthew King, a scholar of Buddhist studies and director of Asian studies at the University of California, Riverside.—
Shoshi Parks,
Smithsonian Magazine,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Give the Original ‘Twister’ a Spin Barbara Peeters is no prude.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
19 July 2024
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Despite a handful of prudes trying their best to spoil the fun.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
4 July 2024
Adjective
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The authoritarian manosphere is organized around a hierarchy topped by heroic male warriors.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
4 Mar. 2025
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Fragile post-conflict governments often struggle to maintain popular support, and without a strong commitment to justice and accountability, there is a real risk that authoritarian tendencies will resurface.—
PATRICK VINCK,
Foreign Affairs,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
There’s often some kind of hitch, but still, most agents are straight arrows who play by the book.—
LEW SICHELMAN,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2025
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Purdy was such a straight arrow as a kid, his worst transgressions were playing doorbell ditch, Patchett said.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
The Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2024
Adjective
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Ko enters this week with 22 victories and as only the 25th player to earn the requisite 27 points in arguably the most exacting Hall of Fame qualification system in sports.—
Edgar Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2025
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And his budgets, then as now, tended to reflect more exotic materials and more exacting processes.—
Ian Parker,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The president’s unrelenting support of tariffs validates our recent decision to exit several companies — Best Buy , Constellation Brands , and Stanley Black & Decker — that could see their earnings be materially squeezed.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2025
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Despite the media blitz projecting images of an unrelenting nationwide sweep, so far, the deportation of migrants is well below the monthly average during the Biden administration, and there is little evidence that ICE is arresting or detaining any more people than usual.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Warner was adamant that oppressors should be stopped not only using military force, but also with intellectual muscle and dialogue.—
Chris Yogerst / Made by History,
TIME,
6 Mar. 2025
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House Speaker Daniel Perez, a Miami Republican who championed the law in 2022, has been adamant that mandatory financial reserves for building maintenance are essential in preventing another building from crumbling to the ground.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Obama has retreated into monkish silence, broken only for special occasions such as celebrity deaths and the recording of Bruce Springsteen podcasts.—
Isaac Chotiner,
The New Yorker,
17 July 2024
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Cillian Murphy is not sitting at home in monkish penury.—
Vulture,
Vulture,
3 Feb. 2024
Articles Related to ascetic
Cite this Entry
“Ascetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ascetic. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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