incontinent
1 synonym and 2 antonyms for incontinent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Unable to control the bladder or bowels.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Unable to control the bladder or bowels.
“The elderly dog had become incontinent and needed extra care.”
Opposites
2. adj
Lacking self-restraint, especially regarding desires or impulses.
“He was incontinent in his spending, buying whatever caught his eye.”
How to use incontinent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
become incontinent
incontinent patient
Etymology
From Old French incontinent, from Latin incontinens, from in- ("not") plus continens ("holding together, restrained").
Full origin of incontinent →Frequently asked questions
What does “incontinent” mean?
The word “incontinent” means unable to control the bladder or bowels. In plain terms, unable to hold something back — most often used for loss of bladder or bowel control.
How do you pronounce “incontinent”?
“Incontinent” is pronounced ihng-KON-tih-nuhnt (/ɪŋˈkɒntɪnənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “incontinent” in a sentence?
Here is “incontinent” used in a sentence: “The elderly dog had become incontinent and needed extra care.”
What is the opposite of “incontinent”?
The opposite of “incontinent” — its antonyms — are continent and restrained.
What part of speech is “incontinent”?
“Incontinent” is an adjective.
Where does the word “incontinent” come from?
The word “incontinent” comes from Latin. From Old French incontinent, from Latin incontinens, from in- ("not") plus continens ("holding together, restrained").
How many meanings does “incontinent” have?
“Incontinent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unable to control the bladder or bowels.
