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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in purity
abstention from sexual intercourse
an AIDS-prevention program that relies primarily on abstinence
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Examples Sentences
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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.
—
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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In 2020, my colleague Olga Khazan asked why no one seemed interested in creating a modern temperance movement.—
Shayla Love,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2025
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With them in charge, Lily Dale flourished into a resort town, a summer destination, a thriving year-round community of the faithful, and a hub on activist lecture circuits dedicated to suffrage, temperance, abolition, and socialism.—
Marissa C. Rhodes / Made by History,
TIME,
8 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The film’s legacy, import, and influence, however, is undeniable, thanks to Lynch’s inimitable mixing of white picket fence optimism, pop purity, and unadulterated evil.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
16 Jan. 2025
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That process is separate from artificial colors like Red 3 and Red 40, which must jump through steep hurdles to gain the FDA's authorization and are carefully tested for purity before being used in the market.—
Alexander Tin,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2025
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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The anti-erotic Christianity that Monica professed condemned the vanity of human learning and encouraged chastity.—
Mark Lilla,
Harper's Magazine,
2 Oct. 2024
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Franklin’s virtues are: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility.—
Michael Maguire,
Boston Herald,
19 Aug. 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 28 Jan. 2025.
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