asceticism
Americannoun
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the manner of life, practices, or principles of an ascetic.
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the doctrine that a person can attain a high spiritual and moral state by practicing self-denial, self-mortification, and the like.
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rigorous self-denial; extreme abstinence; austerity.
noun
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the behaviour, discipline, or outlook of an ascetic, esp of a religious ascetic
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the principles of ascetic practices, esp in the early Christian Church
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the theory and system of ascetic practices
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of asceticism
Explanation
Asceticism is rigorous self-denial, particularly the rejection of the pleasures of the world. If you don't drink, smoke, eat sugar, see movies, use the internet, or have a cell phone, then you are already practicing a kind of asceticism. Asceticism comes from the word ascetic, which comes from Greek roots meaning monk, and practice or exercise. Historically, Asceticism was a rigorous, laborious lifestyle, involving the denial of pleasure and rest as a way of expressing spiritual devotion. Now we use asceticism as a synonym for austerity.
Vocabulary lists containing asceticism
Some Political and Philosophical -isms
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Brave New World
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Into the Wild
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His timing was impeccable, meeting a counterculture primed to embrace ISKCON’s practices of communal living, ecstatic dancing and asceticism.
From New York Times • May 22, 2024
There’s an asceticism to bespoke suit making that can be found in the religion as well.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 13, 2023
One was asceticism, a form of self- denial that includes foregoing bodily pleasures and adopting a life of chastity, virginity, and renunciation of normal society.
From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023
Fuyuko realizes that her asceticism has masked hidden hurts.
From Washington Post • May 5, 2022
I will no longer study Yoga-Veda, Atharva-Veda, or asceticism, or any other teachings.
From "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
