fasting
5 synonyms for fasting, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Going without food, often for religious, spiritual, or health reasons.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use fasting
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
intermittent fasting
a period of fasting
religious fasting
Etymology
From "fast" (to abstain from food) plus the suffix "-ing".
Full origin of fasting →Frequently asked questions
What does “fasting” mean?
The word “fasting” means going without food, often for religious, spiritual, or health reasons. In plain terms, the practice or act of not eating, whether for religion, health, or a medical test.
How do you pronounce “fasting”?
“Fasting” is pronounced FAHS-tihng (/ˈfæstɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “fasting” in a sentence?
Here is “fasting” used in a sentence: “Many Muslims practise fasting from dawn to sunset during Ramadan.”
What part of speech is “fasting”?
“Fasting” is a noun.
Is “fasting” a common word?
“Fasting” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between fasting and starving?
Fasting is a voluntary choice to go without food, often for religious, spiritual, or health reasons, and is undertaken with control over when and how long it lasts. Starving is an involuntary and often prolonged lack of food that causes serious harm and is not a choice.
What is the difference between fasting and dieting?
Dieting typically means restricting or adjusting the types and amounts of food eaten over time to manage weight or health. Fasting means abstaining from food entirely for a set period, rather than moderating what is eaten.
