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celibate

[sel-uh-bit, -beyt] / ˈsɛl ə bɪt, -ˌbeɪt /
ADJECTIVE
abstaining from sexual activity
Synonyms
Antonyms


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.

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A meetinghouse stood at the center of every village created by the Shakers, the separatist and celibate Christian religious sect founded in the 18th century that was devoted to communal living and simple, functional design.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 4, 2026

Ultimately, Sam decided to be celibate and invest in their fantasy life with their partner.

From Slate Sep. 25, 2025

I decided to spend some time celibate, to abstain not only from sex but also all the attendant activities, including dating and even flirting.

From Los Angeles Times Oct. 8, 2024

Some had started to feel that he was laying the groundwork to ultimately permit gay men to train for the priesthood, as long as they remained celibate like other priests.

From BBC May 27, 2024

Dealing with averages, it is the bare truth to say that no celibate life approaches such a life in point of usefulness, no matter what the motive for the celibacy—religious, philanthropic, political, or professional.

From A Book-Lover's Holidays in the Open by Theodore Roosevelt

It's also driven by the same sort of insecurity about masculinity that underlies the so-called Men's Rights Movement and the increasingly dangerous and self-destructive cult of self-described "involuntary celibates," or incels.

From Salon Oct. 26, 2021

Rodger belonged to a growing online community of men who identify as involuntary celibates, or “incels”.

From The Guardian Oct. 19, 2020

They also cannot remarry if their wives die, and must spend the rest of their priestly lives as celibates.

From Seattle Times Feb. 14, 2020

Unlike Islamic State jihadists and white supremacists, incels — short for involuntary celibates — are not, as a group, preaching hatred by promising a path to redemption or salvation through violence.

From New York Times Aug. 9, 2019

At the outset it was ordered that all the masters, censors, and teachers in the great intermediate schools or lyceums should be celibates!

From The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte Vol. III. (of IV.) by William Milligan Sloane




Vocabulary lists containing celibate


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