abstinence
gb/ˈæbstənəns/ us/ˈæbstənəns/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
state
1
deliberate avoidance of something
choosing not to have or do something, often for health, moral, or religious reasons.
Usage pattern:
abstinence from [something]
Common mistake:
Use abstinence from, not abstinence of. For not voting, the usual word is abstention.
Synonyms
restraint (emphasizes self-control, not necessarily complete avoidance.)
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self-denial (suggests refusing pleasures, often for moral or religious reasons.)
|
avoidance (more general and less focused on discipline or principle.)
|
renunciation (more formal and often suggests a permanent giving up.)
Antonyms
indulgence (doing or having what one desires instead of refusing it.)
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consumption (eating, drinking, or using something rather than avoiding it.)
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participation (taking part in an activity rather than refraining from it.)
Collocations
complete abstinence
|total abstinence
|voluntary abstinence
|temporary abstinence
|practice abstinence
|promote abstinence
|a period of abstinence
|abstinence from meat
|abstinence from social media
|fasting and abstinence
Themes
self_control
|health
|lifestyle
|religion
Examples
- After the holidays, she tried a month of abstinence from sweets.
- The retreat encouraged silence, meditation, and abstinence from digital distractions.
- Many religious traditions include periods of fasting and abstinence.
Learner examples
- He chose abstinence from meat during Lent.
- A week of abstinence from video games helped her study.
Noun
C1
state
2
not having sex
choosing not to have sex.
Usage pattern:
abstinence; abstinence before/until [time or event]
Common mistake:
Abstinence means not having sex; it does not mean using contraception during sex.
Synonyms
celibacy (often suggests a long-term, religious, or unmarried state of not having sex.)
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chastity (more moral or religious in tone, and sometimes old-fashioned.)
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sexual inactivity (more clinical and does not necessarily imply a deliberate choice.)
Antonyms
sexual activity (the general opposite: having sex or engaging in sexual behavior.)
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intercourse (specifically sexual intercourse, rather than sexual behavior in general.)
Collocations
sexual abstinence
|practice abstinence
|promote abstinence
|teach abstinence
|abstinence before marriage
|abstinence until marriage
|abstinence education
|abstinence pledge
Themes
sex_education
|health
|relationships
|religion
Examples
- The health class discussed abstinence as one way to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
- They chose abstinence until they felt ready for a sexual relationship.
- The campaign promoted abstinence before marriage.
Learner examples
- Abstinence means they are not having sex.
- She chose abstinence for personal reasons.
Noun
C1
state
3
not using addictive substances
not using alcohol or drugs at all, especially after addiction.
Usage pattern:
abstinence from [alcohol/drugs]; maintain/achieve abstinence
Common mistake:
In addiction contexts, abstinence usually means no use at all; moderation means limited use.
Synonyms
sobriety (commonly used for living without alcohol or drugs; also means not being drunk.)
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non-use (more technical and neutral, especially in research.)
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drug-free living (more informal or advocacy-oriented.)
Antonyms
substance use (using alcohol or drugs rather than avoiding them.)
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moderation (limited use rather than complete avoidance.)
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relapse (returning to substance use after a period of abstinence.)
Collocations
abstinence from alcohol
|drug abstinence
|maintain abstinence
|achieve abstinence
|sustained abstinence
|long-term abstinence
|lifelong abstinence
|abstinence rate
|relapse after abstinence
|abstinence-based treatment
Themes
health
|addiction
|recovery
|medicine
Examples
- After treatment, he maintained abstinence from cocaine for eighteen months.
- Some recovery groups define success as lifelong abstinence, while others focus on reducing harm.
- Doctors advise complete abstinence from alcohol for patients with severe liver disease.
Learner examples
- His goal is abstinence from drugs.
- She has maintained abstinence from alcohol for two years.
Grammar
Dictionary form
abstinence
IPA
GB/ˈæbstənəns/
US/ˈæbstənəns/
Syllables & stress
ab - stin - ence (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ab)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: abstinence
- Plural: abstinence
Expressions
abstinence pledge
1/ˈæbstənəns plˈɛd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
promise not to have sex
a promise not to have sex, often before marriage.
Examples
- At the youth conference, some students signed an abstinence pledge.
- Years later, she said the abstinence pledge had not prepared her for a healthy relationship.
- The campaign encouraged teenagers to take an abstinence pledge.
abstinence-based treatment
1/ˈæbstənəns bˈeɪst tɹˈitmənt/
fixed phrase
treatment requiring non-use
addiction treatment that aims for no use at all.
Examples
- The center offers abstinence-based treatment for people with alcohol dependence.
- Some patients prefer harm-reduction services to abstinence-based treatment.
- An abstinence-based program may require regular drug testing.
abstinence-only education
1/ˈæbstənəns ˈoʊnli ˌɛd͡ʒəkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
sex education emphasizing abstinence
sex education that mainly tells students not to have sex.
Examples
- The district replaced abstinence-only education with a broader health curriculum.
- Critics argue that abstinence-only education leaves teenagers without practical information about contraception.
- Supporters of abstinence-only education say it reflects their community's values.
fasting and abstinence
1/fˈæstɪŋ ˈænd ˈæbstənəns/
fixed phrase
religious food restriction
a religious practice of eating less and not eating some foods.
Examples
- During Lent, many Christians observe days of fasting and abstinence.
- The rules on fasting and abstinence vary by tradition.
- The church published a guide to fasting and abstinence before the holiday.
neonatal abstinence syndrome
1/nˌioʊnˈeɪtəl ˈæbstənəns sˈɪndɹˌoʊm/
fixed phrase
technical
newborn drug withdrawal
a medical problem in a baby who has withdrawal symptoms after being exposed to drugs before birth.
Examples
- The hospital has a unit for babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome.
- Public health workers track cases of neonatal abstinence syndrome linked to opioid exposure during pregnancy.
- Treatment for neonatal abstinence syndrome may include careful feeding, comfort measures, and medication.
total abstinence
1/tˈoʊtəl ˈæbstənəns/
fixed phrase
complete avoidance
not doing or using something at all.
Examples
- For him, total abstinence from gambling was safer than setting limits.
- The doctor recommended total abstinence from alcohol while she was taking the medication.
- The program does not demand total abstinence from every participant.