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
Their number grew while the utopian community lived in New Harmony thanks to a celibacy edict put in place by their founder George Rapp in 1807.
—
Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 30 Dec. 2025
Foundational Shaker beliefs, such as celibacy and gender equality, were incompatible with the outside world, so Lee’s followers built their own.
—Lila Allen, Architectural Digest, 26 Dec. 2025
While in prison for blasphemy, Lee had a risqué vision of Adam and Eve, and concluded that celibacy was the cure for worldly temptation.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for celibacy
Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 30 Dec. 2025
Foundational Shaker beliefs, such as celibacy and gender equality, were incompatible with the outside world, so Lee’s followers built their own.
—Lila Allen, Architectural Digest, 26 Dec. 2025
While in prison for blasphemy, Lee had a risqué vision of Adam and Eve, and concluded that celibacy was the cure for worldly temptation.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for celibacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for celibacy
Noun
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Both humble and charming, the daisy represents youth and purity.—
Jenny Krane,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 May 2026
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The United Nations nuclear agency says Iran has more than 970 pounds of uranium that is enriched up to 60% purity, a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 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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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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The most effective form of prevention appears to be lead-by-example abstinence.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Celibacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/celibacy. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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