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abstaining

ADJECTIVE

ascetic

Synonyms

STRONGEST

austere disciplined

STRONG

abstinent spartan

WEAK

abstemious puritanical strict

ADJECTIVE

on the wagon

Synonyms

WEAK

abstemious abstinent cold sober dry drying out free of alcohol nonindulgent not drinking not drunk not partaking of alcohol period of abstinence restrained sober stone cold sober sworn off took the pledge unintoxicated

ADJECTIVE

sober

Synonyms

STRONGEST

calm restrained sedate serious

STRONG

controlled dry moderate steady

WEAK

abstemious abstinent ascetic clear-headed cold sober continent nonindulgent not drunk on the wagon self-possessed temperate took the pledge

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agitated excitable excited

WEAK

drunk immoderate inebriated irrational

ADJECTIVE

sober

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dark disciplined dispassionate down-to-earth earnest levelheaded low-key lucid no-nonsense practical quiet rational realistic reasonable restrained sedate serene serious solemn somber staid subdued

STRONG

abnegating collected composed constrained cool eschewing forgoing grave inhibited plain reserved sound steady

WEAK

clear-headed cold drab hard-boiled imperturbable pacific severe soft toned-down unexcited unimpassioned unruffled

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agitated boisterous cheerful excitable excited flippant frivolous funny happy impractical insincere irrational light nervous trivial troubled unimportant unrealistic unreasonable unserious upset

STRONG

annoyed friendly worried

WEAK

drunk immoderate inebriated

NOUN

abstention

Synonyms

STRONG

abstinence avoidance self-control self-denial self-restraint sobriety

WEAK

non-indulgence

Antonyms

STRONG

self-indulgence

NOUN

abstinence

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chastity fasting frugality moderation self-restraint

STRONG

abnegation abstemiousness asceticism avoidance continence forbearance renunciation self-control self-denial soberness sobriety teetotalism temperance

WEAK

cherry refraining

Antonyms

WEAK

drunkenness excess indulgence intemperance intoxication revelry self-indulgence

NOUN

denial

Synonyms

STRONGEST

disapproval rebuttal rejection repudiation retraction veto

STRONG

adjuration brush-off contradiction declination disavowal disclaimer disproof dissent forswearing nay negation negative nix nonacceptance prohibition protestation rebuff refutal refutation renouncement renunciation repulse turndown

WEAK

cold shoulder controversion disallowance dismissing gainsaying noncommittal refraining refusing rejecting renegement repudiating statement abnegation

Antonyms

STRONGEST

allowance approval confirmation ratification sanction

STRONG

agreement permission

WEAK

affirmation avowal claim corroboration vouching

NOUN

sobriety

Synonyms

STRONG

abstemiousness continence moderation self-restraint soberness teetotalism temperance

WEAK

refraining

Antonyms

STRONG

intemperance wildness

NOUN

traversal

Synonyms

STRONG

abnegation adjuration brush-off contradiction declination disaffirmation disapproval disavowal disclaimer disproof dissent forswearing nay negation negative nix nonacceptance prohibition protestation rebuff rebuttal refutal refutation rejection renouncement renunciation repudiation repulse retraction statement turndown veto

WEAK

cold shoulder controversion disaffirmance disallowance dismissing gainsaying noncommittal refraining refusing rejecting renegement repudiating

Antonyms

STRONG

OK acceptance agreement allowance approval confirmation corroboration endorsement permission ratification sanction

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.

Most voters our columnist spoke with are following the new rule to watch everything, or abstaining from certain categories.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

Could anyone really be blamed for wanting to avoid even more pain and heartbreak by abstaining from dating altogether?

From Salon • Dec. 17, 2025

Twelve voted against it, with seven in favour and one abstaining.

From BBC • Nov. 21, 2025

There were 13 votes in favour of the text and none against, with Russia and China both abstaining but not deploying their veto as permanent members.

From Barron's • Nov. 18, 2025

Even when Ramadan arrived during the season and I had to play volleyball and fence while fasting from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from food and water, I still didn’t want to quit.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

abstaining

Example Sentences

Related Words