CONTINENCE Synonyms: 113 Similar and Opposite Words

continence

noun

ˈkän-tə-nən(t)s

Definition of continence

as in purity

abstention from sexual intercourse argued for a pregnancy-prevention program that did not put so much faith in the continence of teenagers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in discipline

the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others experiencing a moment of unusual continence, I refrained from returning her gratuitous insult

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in restraint

the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions a religious sect that demanded nearly superhuman continence from its adherents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in temperance

voluntary restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites a gambling mecca that has a reputation for being the sort of place where caution and continence are thrown to the wind

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 continence It’s often affected by pressure changes in the abdominal cavity, particularly in pregnant or obese persons, which in turn affect urination and continence. — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2026 After the second session, the authors reported that the woman had even greater speech capabilities, more facial expressions and humor, increased walking agility and continued continence. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026 These are the muscles that play a critical role in supporting our pelvic organs and maintaining continence. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2026 The pelvic floor supports the pelvic organs (the bladder, uterus and bowel), controls the body’s continence mechanisms and helps with core stability. — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 Good posture helps maintain continence, support pelvic organs, and reduce back pain. — Staci Tanouye, Parents, 29 Aug. 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for continence

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 university, like campuses nationwide, is barred by federal privacy law from discussing individual discipline cases or internal deliberations, even when a student goes public.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Eisenhower possessed iron discipline, sunny self-confidence and a mind that loved organizational challenges.

— John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of discipline

Noun

If the answer is yes, then waiting ceases to be a strategy of restraint and begins to look like gradual erosion of power and strength.

— Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
Meghna Gulzar has a very distinctive voice and an ability to approach difficult subjects with both restraint and intensity.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of restraint

Noun

Why Gen Z is embracing sober curious drinking Three forces are pulling Gen Z toward more selective drinking, and none of them look like old-school temperance.

— Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
The temperance movement was in full swing then, and the aversion to alcohol was especially strong in the rural South.

— Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of temperance

Noun

Thai Buddhists felt disappointed and raised questions about the ability of young monks to take their vow of celibacy seriously.

— Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026
That means no social media accounts, personal possessions or handling money, and the practice of celibacy and modesty.

— Deepa Bharath, Fortune, 17 July 2026

Definition of celibacy

Noun

However, these reports cannot cover every human rights violation that experts know about, especially in countries with low government transparency or high levels of repression.

— K. Chad Clay, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
Indeed, conflict and calamities are major factors in financial repression.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of repression

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

As art and its creators have shed their inhibitions in this post-Sadean world, politicians and cultural commentators have reliably lined up to condemn this total freedom of expression as being dangerous to society.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
Put inhibitions aside to experience the latest episode of Doc Talk, hosted by John Ridley (12 Years a Slave, Shirley), and Matt Carey, Deadline’s senior documentary editor.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 30 June 2026

Definition of inhibition

Browse Nearby Words

contiguous

continence

continent

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Style

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

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Synonyms of continence

noun

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