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

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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 However, history has demonstrated that political celibacy movements rarely stick, according to Aronowitz. Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024 The cast being agog about her celibacy will get old quickly. Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2024 Many experimented with fasting, sleep deprivation, and vegetarian diets while frequently taking vows of celibacy. Jeffrey E. Schulman / Made By History, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024 Bumble came under backlash earlier this year for advertising that positioned celibacy as a poor alternative to online dating. Karoline Leonard, Austin American-Statesman, 7 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for celibacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for celibacy
Noun
  • This combines excellent varietal purity with outstanding harmony.
    Tom Hyland, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Supplements certified for sport provide additional reassurance that the product has been tested and verified for quality, purity, and safety.
    Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The rules include abstaining from substances that are already forbidden by the LDS Church, practicing chastity, forgoing the use of profanity and following a dress code that prohibits men from wearing beards or goatees and requires skirts to be no shorter than knee-length.
    Ashley Hume, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The series eschews any sort of sexuality, with even Nico’s desires getting toned down to the point of total chastity.
    Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The next day marked the beginning of abstinence from those items or the Lenten season.
    Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The 39-year-old actor has had his fair share of odd jobs, including catering deviled eggs, waffles, and other treats, and teaching abstinence to high schoolers.
    Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 25 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Celibacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/celibacy. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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