as in purity
abstention from sexual intercourse
a widower who has maintained absolute celibacy since the death of his wife
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Recent Examples of celibacy
In the medieval church, women’s roles were limited – usually some form of enclosure and celibacy, such as becoming an anchoress walled up alone for life, or a nun in a classic convent.
—
Joelle Rollo-Koster, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
In May last year, Julia Fox weighed in on controversial billboards by Bumble ads that appeared to mock celibacy.
—Angela Kahuru, refinery29.com, 14 Feb. 2025
Now, abstinence and even celibacy are being embraced as deliberate and empowering lifestyle choices, with more people openly sharing their experiences online.
—Angela Kahuru, refinery29.com, 14 Feb. 2025
Redman has recently opened up about life-changing journey with celibacy.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for celibacy
Joelle Rollo-Koster, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
In May last year, Julia Fox weighed in on controversial billboards by Bumble ads that appeared to mock celibacy.
—Angela Kahuru, refinery29.com, 14 Feb. 2025
Now, abstinence and even celibacy are being embraced as deliberate and empowering lifestyle choices, with more people openly sharing their experiences online.
—Angela Kahuru, refinery29.com, 14 Feb. 2025
Redman has recently opened up about life-changing journey with celibacy.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for celibacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for celibacy
Noun
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This level of enrichment is just a technical step away from reaching the 90% purity required for nuclear weapons.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
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Finally, a set proportion of these materials that are of the right quality and purity will be used to make batteries that will go in new electric Porsches.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Related Stories Robin Williams, who apparently has taken a vow of comic chastity since winning his Good Will Hunting Oscar, plays the robot who wants to be a man.—
Kirk Honeycutt,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Dec. 2024
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Iran's parliament has passed a new chastity law to be implemented next week, further tightening already strict dressing restrictions, according to reports.—
Jason Fields,
Newsweek,
5 Dec. 2024
Noun
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This assumption persists, despite numerous studies’ showing that medication can reduce the risk of overdose far more than abstinence alone — and that in some cases abstinence may even increase the risk of overdose later.—
Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton,
New York Times,
16 Feb. 2025
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Here's what to know about Dry January, the alcohol abstinence challenge Non-alcoholic beer and low alcohol on the rise As sales of alcoholic beverages have plateaued, sales of non-alcoholic beer, drinks and spirits have intensified, up 27% in 2024.—
Mike Snider,
USA TODAY,
21 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Celibacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/celibacy. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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