celibate

as in chaste
not engaging in sexual intercourse celibate monks and nuns They have chosen to lead celibate lives.

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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 celibate In a September interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the Grammy winner — who's reportedly nearing billionaire status — opened up about why he's chosen to stay single and celibate as his career continues at a high speed. Jack Irvin, People.com, 15 Oct. 2024 In addition to Omarion and Lenny, singer Mya has also shared that she’s been celibate for seven years, and it’s given her mental clarity. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 12 Sep. 2024 In an interview on the Sept. 4 episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the 49-year-old rap mogul — who's reportedly nearing billionaire status — opened up about his choice to lead a celibate lifestyle and why he's never been married. Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2024 Julia Fox, Lenny Kravitz and Khloé Kardashian have all come out as celibate in the last three months. Anne Branigin, Washington Post, 21 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for celibate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for celibate
Adjective
  • Hellbent on destroying the pure, chaste and overly self-righteous preacher who denied her satisfaction, Salome performs a seductive dance at her stepfather Herod’s birthday feast.
    E.R. Zarevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The medieval image of rape—as the act of a violent stranger upon a chaste victim who goes straight to the authorities—persisted undisturbed in American courts through the nineteen-sixties.
    Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The cross-continent trek for Rye Riptides, which students and now-retired Rye Junior High School science teacher Sheila Adams stuffed with photos of the Rye students, a facemask with their signatures on it, fall leaves, acorns and state quarters, was conducted with the help of Educational Passages.
    Ian Lenahan, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2022
  • The totem pole was carved by members of the Lummi Nation and is being transported from their home in Washington state to Washington, D.C., as part of a 15-day, cross-continent journey to advocate for the protection of sacred places and the expansion of tribal sovereignty rights.
    Zak Podmore, The Salt Lake Tribune, 18 July 2021
Adjective
  • Overall, a majority of unmarried Americans, 56 percent, are more worried about ending up with the wrong partner than not finding someone at all, the AEI survey found.
    Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Some essential relief, or perhaps even a slight disappointment, to realize that unmarried life is kind of normal?
    Haley Mlotek, Curbed, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Would the virginal and so presumably menstruating Mary have been barred from worshipping her son?
    S. C. Cornell, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Why keep up this fake pretense that each date is somehow brand-new, virginal?
    Anelise Chen, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Man Who Killed Meredith Kercher, Amanda Knox's Roommate in Italy, Is Freed from Prison Still, despite being declared innocent and freed, Knox says she was never allowed to fully live her life again.
    Gillian Telling, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
  • In the final moments of last week’s episode, Hector Ayala, aka the hero White Tiger, was found innocent in his trial against the NYPD then shot and killed on the street by an unknown murderer.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • These oils should have a high smoke point, more flavor, and aroma than virgin oils.
    Patty Weasler, RN, BSN, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Carbon dioxide emission savings were compared to producing virgin PET made from fossil fuels and avoiding incineration of waste used as feedstock.
    Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 24 Feb. 2025

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“Celibate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/celibate. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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