1
as in purity
abstention from sexual intercourse
argued for a pregnancy-prevention program that did not put so much faith in the continence of teenagers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discipline
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others
experiencing a moment of unusual continence, I refrained from returning her gratuitous insult
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in restraint
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
a religious sect that demanded nearly superhuman continence from its adherents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in temperance
voluntary restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites
a gambling mecca that has a reputation for being the sort of place where caution and continence are thrown to the wind
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 continence
This includes the five major types: stress incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, overflow incontinence, and functional continence.
—
Jamin Brahmbhatt, Verywell Health, 29 July 2024
Good posture helps maintain continence, support pelvic organs, and reduce back pain.
—Staci Tanouye, Parents, 29 Aug. 2023
Profligate spending under George W. Bush forever made laughable any Republican assertion of fiscal continence.
—Christopher Buckley, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2022
Any chance Sally or Ed has anxiety, digestive or continence issues, hearing loss …?
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2023
Aging in the modern era is about slow unstoppable loss - of hearing, of memory, of mobility, of continence, of dignity.
—Kyle Munkittrick, Discover Magazine, 9 Sep. 2011
To maintain continence, the puborectalis muscle chokes the anal canal.
—Cara Schacter, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2022
But even with the delayed start, most healthy, neurotypical kids achieve at least daytime continence by age three.
—Leah Campbell, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2021
Share prices have soared for large Danish health companies such as Coloplast — a major player in the market for colostomy pouches, continence and skin and wound care treatments — and Genmab, a biotech company specializing in cancer treatments.
—Matt Phillips, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2020
Jamin Brahmbhatt, Verywell Health, 29 July 2024
Good posture helps maintain continence, support pelvic organs, and reduce back pain.
—Staci Tanouye, Parents, 29 Aug. 2023
Profligate spending under George W. Bush forever made laughable any Republican assertion of fiscal continence.
—Christopher Buckley, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2022
Any chance Sally or Ed has anxiety, digestive or continence issues, hearing loss …?
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2023
Aging in the modern era is about slow unstoppable loss - of hearing, of memory, of mobility, of continence, of dignity.
—Kyle Munkittrick, Discover Magazine, 9 Sep. 2011
To maintain continence, the puborectalis muscle chokes the anal canal.
—Cara Schacter, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2022
But even with the delayed start, most healthy, neurotypical kids achieve at least daytime continence by age three.
—Leah Campbell, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2021
Share prices have soared for large Danish health companies such as Coloplast — a major player in the market for colostomy pouches, continence and skin and wound care treatments — and Genmab, a biotech company specializing in cancer treatments.
—Matt Phillips, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for continence
Noun
-
In Thai culture, water represents purity, tranquility and renewal, which is celebrated throughout the property’s grounds.—
Emma Kershaw,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
-
It was introduced during a period of moral purity movements during the United States’ progressive era.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Of her 100 wins, 63 have come from slalom events, while 37 have stemmed from non-slalom disciplines.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Mendez is a strategic community builder, storyteller, and connector with 5 years of experience spanning marketing, editorial, and corporate disciplines.—
Ayisha Miracle Mendez,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
It was struck down by the courts, which said such rules were an unfair restraint on the ability of athletes to capitalize on their NIL rights.—
Seth Emerson,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
-
But when taken together, the quotes suggest a belief there are few practical or legal restraints on a president.—
Axios,
Axios,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The second report, released in December by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, caused a stir in the research and temperance communities.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Where temperance crusaders once wielded biblical rhetoric, today’s public health researchers arrive with cancer studies and statistics.—
Jackie Snow,
Quartz,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Mixing personal narrative with cultural criticism, the author of Girlhood explores how celibacy radicalized her, giving her permission to put all of her focus on herself, her work, and the platonic relationships that deserved more of her attention.—
Shannon Carlin,
TIME,
17 Dec. 2024
-
Key Survey Findings: 43% of Black Gen Z daters are practicing celibacy.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
12 Sep. 2024
Noun
-
Zelensky ordered this punishing act of political repression without due process or court proceedings.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
-
The regime has intensified its control through evil levels of repression over the past three years.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The series eschews any sort of sexuality, with even Nico’s desires getting toned down to the point of total chastity.—
Daniel Fienberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
29 Jan. 2025
-
The anti-erotic Christianity that Monica professed condemned the vanity of human learning and encouraged chastity.—
Mark Lilla,
Harper's Magazine,
2 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
And how could anyone resist letting go of pesky inhibitions with Herman’s empowering score filling up Pasadena Playhouse with pure effervescence.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Nov. 2024
-
This could be a time to release these inhibitions and accept new journeys rather than being stuck in old patterns.—
Athena Sobhan,
People.com,
30 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Continence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continence. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share