variants
also ascetical
as in monastic
formal
relating to or having a strict and simple way of living that avoids physical pleasure
He committed to having an ascetic existence during his rehab. an ascetic diet of rice and beans
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in prude
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ascetic
Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 15 Nov. 2024
As a celibate ascetic, Ayyappan should be spared the tempting presence of fertile women—that is, women between menarche and menopause.
—Deepa Das Acevedo, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2019
The tale of Alexander the Great and the ascetic Diogenes illustrates my point.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 1 Dec. 2024
His personal life also provides plenty of fodder for the curious: Mondrian had a series of liaisons with women, and probably men as well, but lived alone in an ascetic studio.
—Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 23 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ascetic
Adjective
Growing vegetables and seemingly delighted with the ascetic life, Orwell based himself in a bedroom of Barnhill to consider his life’s purpose and to write the most powerful and disturbing novel of the twentieth century, 1984.
—Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 15 Nov. 2024
As a celibate ascetic, Ayyappan should be spared the tempting presence of fertile women—that is, women between menarche and menopause.
—Deepa Das Acevedo, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2019
The tale of Alexander the Great and the ascetic Diogenes illustrates my point.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 1 Dec. 2024
His personal life also provides plenty of fodder for the curious: Mondrian had a series of liaisons with women, and probably men as well, but lived alone in an ascetic studio.
—Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 23 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ascetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ascetic
Adjective
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The family allowed Norwegian television cameras to follow them for a documentary, which featured their rather monastic existence.—
Matthew Futterman,
The Athletic,
6 Aug. 2024
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On a cold night in Stockholm, the monastic artist opens his door for a candid interview about his music, his ongoing quest for the divine, and what’s really real behind the de facto leader of Drain Gang.—
Meaghan Garvey,
Pitchfork,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Give the Original ‘Twister’ a Spin Barbara Peeters is no prude.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
19 July 2024
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Despite a handful of prudes trying their best to spoil the fun.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
4 July 2024
Adjective
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Other writers and artists have also begun to mine this era for clues to China’s current authoritarian malaise.—
Ian Johnson,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2025
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The obvious split between a democratic Taiwan and an authoritarian China is an uncontestable reality and is part of the international consensus.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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There’s often some kind of hitch, but still, most agents are straight arrows who play by the book.—
LEW SICHELMAN,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2025
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Purdy was such a straight arrow as a kid, his worst transgressions were playing doorbell ditch, Patchett said.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
The Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2024
Adjective
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For the two musical interludes, Gaga was at her most exacting and confrontational.—
Esther Zuckerman,
The Atlantic,
9 Mar. 2025
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Ko enters this week with 22 victories and as only the 25th player to earn the requisite 27 points in arguably the most exacting Hall of Fame qualification system in sports.—
Edgar Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Over the past five years, businesses have navigated an unrelenting series of disruptions: a global pandemic, recovery strategies, the Great Resignation, inflation, economic uncertainty, and groundbreaking developments in AI.—
Sherzod Odilov,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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From the trivial stuff like juggling a million school apps and remembering which day is pajama day to the massive, unrelenting mental load of keeping everyone fed, safe, and happy.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Nobody’s shooting on this season’s Longhorns would be mistaken for Stephen Curry’s, but Schaefer is adamant that this group stands out among his 20-year head-coaching career.—
Ben Pickman,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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Still, Jenkins was adamant about not moving to the city.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Obama has retreated into monkish silence, broken only for special occasions such as celebrity deaths and the recording of Bruce Springsteen podcasts.—
Isaac Chotiner,
The New Yorker,
17 July 2024
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Cillian Murphy is not sitting at home in monkish penury.—
Vulture,
Vulture,
3 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Ascetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ascetic. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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