CELIBACIES 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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 celibacy That means no social media accounts, personal possessions or handling money, and the practice of celibacy and modesty. — Deepa Bharath, Fortune, 17 July 2026 The Eternal Values promise Mierers lured followers in with discussions of enlightenment and mental clarity, often revolving around diet, exercise, celibacy, and the willingness to give up material possessions. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 1 June 2026 The group encouraged awareness and emotional discipline, discouraged alcohol and drugs, and demanded celibacy in its early years. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 1 June 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for celibacy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for celibacy

Noun

The nod to purity emphasized the paint brand’s relationship to cleanliness and virtue, and possibly other notions of bigotry.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
At the same time, brands such as Bottega Veneta offered a more discreet form of luxury rooted in purity of design and craftsmanship.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of purity

Noun

The government’s more expansive hijab and chastity law was suspended but not repealed.

— Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of chastity

Noun

People whose lives spiral when social media enters the picture might need to abstain, although doctors are finding that for behavioral addictions abstinence might not be feasible (screens are everywhere).

— Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Of the men who were part of the original study's AAS-using cohort, 35 were still taking the drugs, while the remaining participants were in varying stages of quitting, long-term abstinence and relapse.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of abstinence

Browse Nearby Words

celestial

celibacy

celibate

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Celibacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/celibacy. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of celibacy

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on celibacy

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes