asceticism

American  

[uh-set-uh-siz-uhm] / əˈsɛt əˌsɪz əm /

noun

1. the manner of life, practices, or principles of an ascetic.

2. the doctrine that a person can attain a high spiritual and moral state by practicing self-denial, self-mortification, and the like.

3. rigorous self-denial; extreme abstinence; austerity.

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asceticism British  

/ əˈsɛtɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. the behaviour, discipline, or outlook of an ascetic, esp of a religious ascetic

2. the principles of ascetic practices, esp in the early Christian Church

3. the theory and system of ascetic practices

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asceticism Cultural  

1. An austere, simple way of life in which persons renounce material pleasures and devote their energy to moral or religious purpose.

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Other Word Forms

• nonasceticism noun

Etymology

Origin of asceticism

First recorded in 1640–50; ascetic + -ism

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.

Example Sentences

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 such set of beliefs was Sufism, a strain of Islam that emphasized asceticism and meditation as the path to a level of divine understanding that brought a rapturous feeling of love for God.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

He brought the same asceticism to his life outside the ring.

From New York Times • May 3, 2022

Attempting asceticism sets patients up for a phenomenon known as the abstinence violation effect, where a minor lapse turns into a huge binge, because people believe they've already blown their recovery anyway.

From Salon • Feb. 24, 2022

Was it not what he had once wished to destroy during his ardent years of asceticism?

From "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse

Related Words

• divinity
• faith
• inviolability
• purity
• righteousness
• solemnity
• spirituality