1
as in temperance
voluntary restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites
a cleric vainly preaching abstinence in a world where self-indulgence is regarded as almost a virtue
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2
as in purity
abstention from sexual intercourse
an AIDS-prevention program that relies primarily on abstinence
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Recent Examples of abstinence
What To Know Conducted by the University of Michigan, the survey revealed that two-thirds of 12th graders reported abstaining from alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes and e-cigarettes in the past 30 days—the highest level of abstinence since 2017, when the metric was first tracked.
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Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
My abstinence journey started after a difficult breakup around three years ago.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 2 Aug. 2024
Foster also conducted basketball clinics around the world, speaking about the benefits of abstinence in Uganda at a time when the AIDS epidemic was ravaging the country.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024
Texture was never Eastwood’s strong point; his films have mainly been stark and spare, with a sense of style that can nearly be defined as an abstinence from style.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for abstinence 
Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
My abstinence journey started after a difficult breakup around three years ago.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 2 Aug. 2024
Foster also conducted basketball clinics around the world, speaking about the benefits of abstinence in Uganda at a time when the AIDS epidemic was ravaging the country.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024
Texture was never Eastwood’s strong point; his films have mainly been stark and spare, with a sense of style that can nearly be defined as an abstinence from style.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for abstinence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstinence
Noun
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But, according to temperance advocates, that paled in comparison to the danger posed by pregnant white women who drank.Elizabeth Marshall / Made by History, TIME, 23 Oct. 2024
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Research reveals that the character dimension of temperance (being patient, calm, composed, self-controlled and prudent) is chronically underdeveloped, weakening the foundation of other character strengths like drive and accountability.Mary Crossan, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The red surrounding this mandala’s central deity is a Buddhist symbol of purity, but also a reminder that purity starts with the flesh and blood that everybody gets for free.Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2025
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Reddit users say the community establishes protocols for third-party lab testing of peptides to verify their purity and promotes safe mixing and dosing practices.Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Key Survey Findings: 43% of Black Gen Z daters are practicing celibacy.Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 12 Sep. 2024
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Friedman's refreshingly honest answers about her own celibacy challenge the conventional notions of fulfillment and happiness.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Related Stories Robin Williams, who apparently has taken a vow of comic chastity since winning his Good Will Hunting Oscar, plays the robot who wants to be a man.Kirk Honeycutt, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024
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The disagreement surfaced in April 2023 after Olson accused their Reverend Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach of breaking her chastity vows by having an online love affair with Father Philip Johnson, a former priest from the diocese in Raleigh, N.C., per Chron.Charna Flam, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Heard about my friends kissing, falling in love, losing their virginity.Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 5 Jan. 2025
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While the evidence that garters were being tossed on the dance floor in medieval times is lacking, there is a grain of truth to the idea that a bride’s virginity (and subsequent deflowering) has been an important part of a wedding’s framework since the beginning of weddings.Ivana Rihter, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near abstinence
Cite this Entry
“Abstinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstinence. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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