abstinence
1 synonym for abstinence, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The practice of deliberately avoiding something one wants, such as food, alcohol, or sex.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use abstinence
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sexual abstinence
total abstinence
practise abstinence
Etymology
From Old French abstinence, based on Latin abstinentia, from abstineo, "to hold back" — the noun form of "abstain."
Full origin of abstinence →Frequently asked questions
What does “abstinence” mean?
The word “abstinence” means the practice of deliberately avoiding something one wants, such as food, alcohol, or sex. In plain terms, deliberately going without something, especially food, alcohol, or sex.
How do you pronounce “abstinence”?
“Abstinence” is pronounced AB-stih-nuhns (/ˈæb.stɪ.nəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “abstinence” in a sentence?
Here is “abstinence” used in a sentence: “He practised total abstinence from alcohol after the diagnosis.”
What part of speech is “abstinence”?
“Abstinence” is a noun.
Where does the word “abstinence” come from?
The word “abstinence” comes from Latin. From Old French abstinence, based on Latin abstinentia, from abstineo, "to hold back" — the noun form of "abstain.".
Is “abstinence” a common word?
“Abstinence” is an uncommon word in modern English.
