abstinent
Avoiding all indulgence
Abstinent describes someone who refrains from something, especially alcohol, sex, or other indulgences.
The word implies deliberate self-denial rather than mere absence of opportunity: He's been abstinent since joining the program.
Often used in contexts of recovery, religious practice, or health choices.
The noun is abstinence.
Abstaining from intimate relations
- chastityAbstaining from sexual activity
- virginalUnsullied or inexperienced
- purityUncontaminated quality
- continenceControl over bodily functions
faithful · virtue · modesty · innocence · untouched · maiden · vow · intact
Unimpaired mental state
- teetotalerComplete abstainer from liquor
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- detoxificationRemoving harmful substances internally
- withdrawalAct of taking away
clean · dry · alcohol-free · drug-free · straightedge · twelve-step · rehabilitation · sponsor
Ability to restrain impulses
- willpowerMental strength resisting impulse
- restraintControl over impulses
- moderationAvoidance of excess
- forbearancePatient self-control, delayed enforcement
self-denial · resolve · determination · fortitude · perseverance · temperance · resistance · steadfastness
Cloistered religious devotee
- nunHebrew alphabet's fourteenth
- hermitPerson choosing total seclusion
- fakirReligious ascetic mendicant
- anchoriteReligious recluse in enclosure
mendicant · renunciation · austerity · monastic · eremitic · contemplative · friar · sadhu
Deliberate food avoidance
- LentChristian fasting season
- RamadanNinth Islamic month
- veganAvoids all animal products
- vegetarianOne who abstains from flesh
halal · kosher · prohibition · restriction · cleanse · detox · pescatarian · observance
celibacy
Abstaining from intimate relations
- chastityAbstaining from sexual activity
- virginalUnsullied or inexperienced
- purityUncontaminated quality
continence · faithful · virtue · modesty · innocence · untouched · maiden · vow · intact · premarital
sobriety
Unimpaired mental state
- teetotalerComplete abstainer from liquor
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- detoxificationRemoving harmful substances internally
withdrawal · clean · dry · alcohol-free · drug-free · straightedge · twelve-step · rehabilitation · sponsor · nondrinking
self-control
Ability to restrain impulses
- willpowerMental strength resisting impulse
- restraintControl over impulses
- moderationAvoidance of excess
forbearance · self-denial · resolve · determination · fortitude · perseverance · temperance · resistance · steadfastness · self-discipline
monk
Cloistered religious devotee
- nunHebrew alphabet's fourteenth
- hermitPerson choosing total seclusion
- fakirReligious ascetic mendicant
anchorite · mendicant · renunciation · austerity · monastic · eremitic · contemplative · friar · sadhu · devotee
fasting
Deliberate food avoidance
vegetarian · halal · kosher · prohibition · restriction · cleanse · detox · pescatarian · observance · religious
abstinentindulgent
Too willing to yield
self-indulgent · intemperate · gluttonous · hedonistic · sybaritic
abstinentdrunk
Impaired by alcohol
intoxicated · drinking · inebriated · using · imbibing
abstinentpromiscuous
Sexually undiscriminating
licentious · unchaste · lustful · lecherous · lascivious
- alcohol abstinenceAvoiding intoxicating beverages entirely
- abstinence onlySex education prohibiting alternatives
- sexual abstinenceForgoing carnal relations voluntarily
- abstinence pledgePromise to forgo something
- abstinence programsInterventions promoting complete avoidance
- abstinence vowsPledges to refrain from something