as in purity
abstention from sexual intercourse
a widower who has maintained absolute celibacy since the death of his wife
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Recent Examples of celibacy
But many outsiders were also alarmed by their ritual dances, whose intensity and emotion demonstrated a physicality seemingly incongruous with their celibacy.
—
Christian Goodwillie, The Conversation, 22 Dec. 2025
Omarion has been very open about his intense celibacy experience in the past, previously discussing it last summer during a sit-down with the Know Thyself podcast.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2025
The rise in celibacy speaks to their desire for healthier relationships, both with themselves and others, and that's a powerful statement.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
This assertion that Mary was a child of a well-to-do family might have some historical validity since this text was composed at a time when the poverty and celibacy of the Holy Family had become associated with her nunlike virtue.
—Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for celibacy
Christian Goodwillie, The Conversation, 22 Dec. 2025
Omarion has been very open about his intense celibacy experience in the past, previously discussing it last summer during a sit-down with the Know Thyself podcast.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2025
The rise in celibacy speaks to their desire for healthier relationships, both with themselves and others, and that's a powerful statement.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
This assertion that Mary was a child of a well-to-do family might have some historical validity since this text was composed at a time when the poverty and celibacy of the Holy Family had become associated with her nunlike virtue.
—Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for celibacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for celibacy
Noun
-
But getting hung up on the purity of beginning from the beginning is more likely to be a stumbling block than a source of pleasure.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Before the war, Iran had been enriching uranium up to 60% purity, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels.—
Farnoush Amiri,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In a nutshell, chastity is the practice of orgasm denial, often through a device like a dedicated cage.—
Mikelle Street,
Them.,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The title that has become attached to the painting over time curiously characterizes the Virgin Mary by the fruit, perhaps in recognition of her chastity, especially when considered in the context of Persephone’s myth.—
Demir Alp,
JSTOR Daily,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
They are sought out by patients who want to stop inhaling smoke, who can’t tolerate withdrawal, or who have failed repeatedly with abstinence-only approaches.—
Timothy Vermillion,
New York Daily News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are known as obligatory days of abstinence.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
2 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Celibacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/celibacy. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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