continence

noun

ˈkän-tə-nən(t)s How to pronounce continence (audio)
Definition of continencenext
1
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
2
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
3
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
4
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
  1. purity
  2. discipline
  3. restraint
  4. temperance
  5. celibacy
  6. repression
  7. chastity
  8. inhibition
Noun
  • The researchers found that the low-purity ores could be processed directly into pyrite with no additional purification.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
  • In electrolysis, compression, purification, storage and blending, oxygen measurement can support safety logic, gas purity verification, ventilation strategy, leak detection and process optimization.
    — Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of purity
Noun
  • Without the ball, that discipline will be non-negotiable, but Villa’s real chance may lie in transition.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • More often, it is limited by access to capital, bonding capacity, leadership talent and operational discipline.
    — Nikhil Chandankhede, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of discipline
Noun
  • If your motivation is to prevent someone else from continuing to live a lie, approach the situation with restraint.
    — Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Exchanges would also need to implement new trading restraints.
    — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of restraint
Noun
  • If decisiveness has crowded out temperance, spend ninety days deliberately slowing your first response.
    — Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Another was promoting temperance realizing alcoholism could destroy families.
    — Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026
Definition of temperance
Noun
  • 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
Definition of celibacy
Noun
  • Decades of political repression followed, including the demolition of some Buddhist monasteries and the suppression of all forms of political or cultural expression outside Communist Party control.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Those governments have eroded the prospects of peace with the Palestinians through creeping annexation and systematic repression in the West Bank.
    — Michael Fuchs, Foreign Affairs, 6 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Continence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/continence. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on continence

Nglish: Translation of continence for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of zeugma

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All