CELIBACY Synonyms: 16 Similar and Opposite Words

celibacy

noun

ˈse-lə-bə-sē

Definition of celibacy

as in purity

abstention from sexual intercourse a widower who has maintained absolute celibacy since the death of his wife

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of celibacy Following Landsman's arrest, Lindsie revealed on the May 18 episode of her podcast, The Southern Tea that she's taken a yearlong vow of celibacy. — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026 With few exceptions, most priests also take a vow of celibacy (married men can become priests in Eastern Rite churches). — Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026 Gunn is in good company in the Hollywood celibacy club. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026 As the world outside begins to resemble the full-moon mating frenzy of the opalescent squid, crack open Sylvia Townsend Warner’s 1948 novel about nuns eking out an existence in a 14th-century convent and one night of celibacy might not seem so bad. — Air Mail, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for celibacy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for celibacy

Noun

The Basij run a nationwide network of volunteers who maintain a presence in the streets, government offices and cultural centers, seeking to ensure loyalty and ideological purity for Iran’s theocracy.

— Lee Keath, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Along with these shifts came purity tests that were easy for well-meaning people to fail.

— Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of purity

Noun

The only exception comes once a year, when the nationwide chastity mandate is temporarily lifted and the use of protection is mandatory.

— Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
These communities of men and women devote their lives to becoming more like Jesus by living out vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

— Adora Namigadde, NPR, 23 July 2026

Definition of chastity

Noun

While harm reduction – a major component of opioid use disorder treatment – is being explored in alcohol use disorder, abstinence remains a mainstay of most approaches to this addiction.

— Marie Doyle, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026
The World Health Organization says that this is possible — that with moderate drinking, even after long periods of abstinence, there are lots of people who find success of clinical significance and life improvement.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of abstinence

Browse Nearby Words

celestial

celibacy

celibate

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“Celibacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/celibacy. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of celibacy

noun

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