Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

celibacy

[sel-uh-buh-see] / ˈsɛl ə bə si /
NOUN
abstinence from sexual activity
Synonyms
Antonyms
WEAK
promiscuousness


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Now that I’ve had some distance from it and can look at it more objectively, I’m finding that people in these testimonials change their behavior, enter into mixed-orientation marriages, or choose celibacy.

From Slate • Oct. 14, 2025

Under the Church's by-laws, only monks who took a vow of celibacy can be elected a Catholicos.

From BBC • Jun. 19, 2025

When she turned 35 and ended a relationship, Febos eschewed her familiar, fall-back comforts of sexual intimacy and instead embraced solitude and celibacy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2025

Additionally, online users said that the ads emphasized the very reasons why their celibacy was important to them.

From Salon • May 15, 2024

He was a knight of the Kingsguard, sworn to celibacy.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin