What does "abstinence" mean?
The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.
Abstinence
/ˈæb.stɪ.nəns/ noun
noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.
- Grammar: abstinence is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: abnegation, abstaining, abstainment, abstemiousness.
- Useful contrasts: animalistic drive, consummate, abuses.
- Usage evidence: The church teaches abstinence before marriage.
How to use "abstinence"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "abstinence" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "abstinence" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "abstinence" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "abstinence" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "abstinence" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abnegation" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "abstinence", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite. countable, uncountable
"Near-synonyms: abstentiousness, abstemiousness"
- 2 act or practice of refraining from indulging an appetite wordnet
- 3 The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.; Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating/alcoholic beverages; total abstinence; teetotalism). countable, uncountable
- 4 the trait of abstaining (especially from alcohol) wordnet
- 5 The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.; Specifically, the practice of abstaining from sexual intercourse, either permanently or until marriage. countable, uncountable
"Abstinence is the only 100% guaranteed contraception."
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.; Abstention from certain foods on days of penitential observance. countable, uncountable
""The church teaching before Vatican II was that it was 'gravely sinful' to take 2 ounces of meat on a day of abstinence such as Friday," said the Rev. Joseph S. Rossi, a Jesuit professor of church history at Loyola College."
- 7 The practice of self-denial; self-restraint; forebearance from anything. countable, uncountable
- 8 Self-denial; abstaining; or forebearance of anything. countable, obsolete, uncountable
- 9 Delay of spending to accrue capital. countable, uncountable
Antonyms
Example
"The church teaches abstinence before marriage."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "abstinence"?
Common synonyms include: abnegation, abstaining, abstainment, abstemiousness, abstention, abstention.
How do you use "abstinence" in a sentence?
The church teaches abstinence before marriage.
How do you pronounce "abstinence"?
Pronounced /ˈæb.stɪ.nəns/.
Etymology
From Middle English abstinence, from Old French abstinence, from Latin abstinentia, from abstinēns, present participle of abstineō (“I withhold”). Equivalent to abstain + -ence.