1
as in purity
abstention from sexual intercourse
argued for a pregnancy-prevention program that did not put so much faith in the continence of teenagers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discipline
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others
experiencing a moment of unusual continence, I refrained from returning her gratuitous insult
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in restraint
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
a religious sect that demanded nearly superhuman continence from its adherents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in temperance
voluntary restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites
a gambling mecca that has a reputation for being the sort of place where caution and continence are thrown to the wind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of continence
After the second session, the authors reported that the woman had even greater speech capabilities, more facial expressions and humor, increased walking agility and continued continence.
—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
The individual is unable to perform, without substantial assistance from another person, at least two of the six activities of daily living (eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, and continence), and the inability is expected to last for an indefinite period.
—
James Lange,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2026
The pelvic floor supports the pelvic organs (the bladder, uterus and bowel), controls the body’s continence mechanisms and helps with core stability.
—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
The pelvic floor muscles need to work in a coordinated pattern, relaxing to allow urine to flow and contracting to maintain continence, said Alexis E. Te, MD, a professor of urology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told Verywell.
—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
3 Oct. 2025
Good posture helps maintain continence, support pelvic organs, and reduce back pain.
—
Staci Tanouye,
Parents,
29 Aug. 2023
Profligate spending under George W. Bush forever made laughable any Republican assertion of fiscal continence.
—
Christopher Buckley,
Washington Post,
5 Aug. 2022
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
The individual is unable to perform, without substantial assistance from another person, at least two of the six activities of daily living (eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, and continence), and the inability is expected to last for an indefinite period.
—
James Lange,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2026
The pelvic floor supports the pelvic organs (the bladder, uterus and bowel), controls the body’s continence mechanisms and helps with core stability.
—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
The pelvic floor muscles need to work in a coordinated pattern, relaxing to allow urine to flow and contracting to maintain continence, said Alexis E. Te, MD, a professor of urology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told Verywell.
—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
3 Oct. 2025
Good posture helps maintain continence, support pelvic organs, and reduce back pain.
—
Staci Tanouye,
Parents,
29 Aug. 2023
Profligate spending under George W. Bush forever made laughable any Republican assertion of fiscal continence.
—
Christopher Buckley,
Washington Post,
5 Aug. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for continence
Noun
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Law enforcement later searched two locations in connection with the investigation into Hidrogo including a storage facility in Fort Worth where officers found 244 kilograms of meth with a purity level of 100 percent and more firearms.
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In Christianity, doves are associated with the Holy Spirit and symbolize purity and faith.
Noun
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Platforms built around incentive capture, funding cost discipline and structural durability are well-positioned to deliver the hedge that households are now actively seeking.
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The Honorary Award is given to honor extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences in any discipline, or outstanding service to the Academy.
Noun
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Cornelius Houston will face charges of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit other felony and unlawful restraint, according to Fort Worth jail records.
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Martin's family believes that the long paramedic response time, as well as restraint asphyxia caused by Oakland police officers, caused Martin's death.
Noun
-
In the winter of 1920, the United States entered Prohibition in the United States after years of campaigning by temperance groups who believed alcohol sat at the root of many social ills.
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Another was promoting temperance realizing alcoholism could destroy families.
Noun
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The Eternal Values promise Mierers lured followers in with discussions of enlightenment and mental clarity, often revolving around diet, exercise, celibacy, and the willingness to give up material possessions.
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The group encouraged awareness and emotional discipline, discouraged alcohol and drugs, and demanded celibacy in its early years.
Noun
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Anderson Daniel Salcedo Lozano, 22, grew up amid the chaos of the Maduro years, which were marked by long lines for bread and medicine, rising infant mortality, spiraling inflation and the violent repression of protests.
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In Venezuela, where confidence in institutions had already eroded after years of economic collapse and political repression, the earthquake may be accelerating that process.
Noun
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Homer approves equally of the man’s satisfactions and the woman’s chastity.
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Youth media had a specific fixation on virginity and chastity just then.
Noun
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Put inhibitions aside to experience the latest episode of Doc Talk, hosted by John Ridley (12 Years a Slave, Shirley), and Matt Carey, Deadline’s senior documentary editor.
-
Darkness removes that inhibition and allows the pineal gland to release melatonin.
Cite this Entry
“Continence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continence. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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