1
as in temperateness
an avoidance of extremes in one's actions, beliefs, or habits
my father attributes his ripe old age to temperance in all things, especially eating and drinking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in abstinence
voluntary restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites
practices a blue-blooded temperance that his parvenu neighbors will never understand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of temperance
These are ideal rulers who exhibit all of the great virtues of wisdom, justice, courage, temperance and moderation.
—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
22 Feb. 2026
The financial incentive for airports and airlines to serve alcohol precludes temperance as a solution.
—
Thomas Black,
Twin Cities,
21 Dec. 2025
Indiana is staunchly conservative, but its Republicans tend to foster a deliberate temperance.
—
Isabella Volmert,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
The temperance movement, which aimed to reduce alcohol use, gained steam in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for temperance
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
22 Feb. 2026
The financial incentive for airports and airlines to serve alcohol precludes temperance as a solution.
—
Thomas Black,
Twin Cities,
21 Dec. 2025
Indiana is staunchly conservative, but its Republicans tend to foster a deliberate temperance.
—
Isabella Volmert,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
The temperance movement, which aimed to reduce alcohol use, gained steam in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for temperance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temperance
Noun
-
Inflation is rising in the aftermath of the Iran war, having already gotten a boost from tariffs enacted last year, even as wage growth continues a longer-term moderation.
-
Much has changed since the first biopic's release, with parent company Meta issuing controversial updates to its content moderation protocols and community standards across Facebook and Instagram.
Noun
-
For this class, federal action (or inaction) makes or breaks their communities and livelihoods, with their frustration channeled through abstinence in the political process.
-
What may be more important, according to Elton, is the psychological value of abstinence.
Noun
-
Platforms built around incentive capture, funding cost discipline and structural durability are well-positioned to deliver the hedge that households are now actively seeking.
-
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
-
The roots of the fall-out stretch back to 2019, before filming for the franchise’s fourth feature instalment began, when Margera signed a wellness agreement with the producers which committed him to sobriety amid his struggles with alcoholism.
-
Police say a field sobriety test was not conducted at the scene because the driver was injured.
Noun
-
Under an existing state appropriations restraint, also known as the Gann Limit, lawmakers cannot spend more than an amount determined by a formula that takes annual tax proceeds, changes to the population and cost of living into consideration.
-
For 70 minutes, Paraguay had played with corseted restraint, frustrating France with organisation, concentration and no little gamesmanship.
Noun
-
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.
-
These are the muscles that play a critical role in supporting our pelvic organs and maintaining continence.
Noun
-
Automatic contributions, delayed payment windows, small rituals that add friction to impulse spending — these are all behavioral architecture moves, not acts of self-denial.
-
At the beginning of her relationship with John, Carolyn’s central problem was that being part of the Kennedy family demanded some level of self-denial.
Noun
-
Her vocation requires the skill of transformation and self-abnegation, as well as a receptiveness to language and emotion not her own.
-
The audience responds gratefully to this level of self-abnegation, and the frankly chilling sounds that come out of her.
Cite this Entry
“Temperance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temperance. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
