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abstinence

[ ab-stuh-nuhns ]

/ ˈæb stə nəns /

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See synonyms for: abstinence / abstinent on Thesaurus.com

noun

forbearance from any indulgence of appetite, especially from the use of alcoholic beverages: total abstinence.

any self-restraint, self-denial, or forbearance.

Economics. the conserving of current income in order to build up capital or savings.

the state of being without a drug, as alcohol or heroin, on which one is dependent.

SYNONYMS FOR abstinence

1 abstemiousness, sobriety, teetotalism.

See synonyms for abstinence on Thesaurus.com

VIDEO FOR ABSTINENCE

WATCH NOW: What Does "Abstinence" Mean For You?

"Abstinence" is so very often about personal choices. That's why we should also try to abstain from judgment.

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QUIZZES

THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?

Did you ever collect all those state quarters? Put them to good use on this quiz about curious state monikers and the facts around them.

Question 1 of 8

Mississippi’s nickname comes from the magnificent trees that grow there. What is it?

The Sunflower State

The Evergreen State

The Magnolia State

The Mockingbird State

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Also ab·sti·nen·cy

[ab-stuh-nuhn-see] /ˈæb stə nən si/ .

Origin of abstinence

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English word from Latin word abstinentia.See abstain, -ence

OTHER WORDS FROM abstinence

ab·sti·nent, adjectiveab·sti·nent·ly, adverbpro·ab·sti·nence, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH abstinence

abstention, abstinence

Words nearby abstinence

abstemious, abstention, abstentionism, abstergent, abstersive, abstinence, abstinence syndrome, abstinence theory, abstr., abstract, abstract algebra

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for abstinence

Although the book contains some decidedly pre-coronavirus guidance — think advice on parties and bars — it’s at its strongest when talking about the inside game of abstinence.
For the new year, an easy-to-sip guide that helps you abstain from alcohol for a month — or longer|Erin Blakemore|January 2, 2021|Washington Post
Public health experts often advocate a harm reduction approach for behaviors where abstinence is not feasible – it’s a way to minimize but not eliminate risk.
Sick Of COVID-19? Here’s Why You Might Have Pandemic Fatigue|LGBTQ-Editor|October 24, 2020|No Straight News
We see detoxing as a path to transcendence, a symbol of modern urban virtue and self-transformation through abstinence.
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze|Lizzie Crocker|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Worse, some schools preach abstinence only or offer little to no sexual education.
The Next Frontier of Sex Ed: How Porn Twists Teens’ Brains|Aurora Snow|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Dr. Melson says abstinence only training shows no delay in sexual activity.
The Next Frontier of Sex Ed: How Porn Twists Teens’ Brains|Aurora Snow|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Meanwhile, the majority of states require sex educators to stress abstinence.
What Henry VIII Teaches Us About Sex Ed|Nancy Kaffer|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Also known as The Abstinence-Violation Effect, some individuals can feel an overall loss of control after going off the deep-end.
When Is It OK to Cheat? The Pros and Cons of Cheat Days|DailyBurn|July 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Abstinence has its drawbacks,” he said, shivering in the bitter wind which whirled the stinging smoke about them.
The Gold Trail|Harold Bindloss
I—perhaps— His hand closed over her fingers with the nervous tension that these last days of abstinence had brought him.
The Woman Gives|Owen Johnson
Cooked in the ashes, it makes a palatable but tough cake, which we enjoyed after our long abstinence from bread.
Famous Adventures And Prison Escapes of the Civil War|Various
It is abstinence from evil quite as much as eager realization of good.
Strong Souls|Charles Beard
Convalescence from a severe sickness is a just cause for sexual abstinence.
The Eugenic Marriage, Vol. 3 (of 4)|W. Grant Hague

British Dictionary definitions for abstinence

abstinence

/ (ˈæbstɪnəns) /

noun

the act or practice of refraining from some action or from the use of something, esp alcohol

mainly RC Church the practice of refraining from specific kinds of food or drink, esp from meat, as an act of penance

Derived forms of abstinence

abstinent, adjective

Word Origin for abstinence

C13: via Old French from Latin abstinentia, from abstinēre to abstain

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for abstinence

abstinence

[ ăb′stə-nəns ]

n.

The act or practice of refraining from indulgence in an appetite, as for certain foods, drink, alcoholic beverages, drugs, or sex.

Other words from abstinence

ab′sti•nent adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

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