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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.

Abstaining from partisan politics—many officers even decline to vote—also helps explain the military’s high approval rating among the American people.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2026

Abstaining can also translate into increased energy, better concentration and memory and improved mood.

From Salon • Jan. 12, 2023

Abstaining from alcohol can have positive effects on your mental health, according to Dr. Daryl Appleton, a psychotherapist who practices in NYC and New England.

From Fox News • Dec. 31, 2021

Abstaining from food and drink, whatever your religion, has its challenges.

From New York Times • Jun. 20, 2017

Abstaining from a work by right prescribed Never is meet!

From The Song celestial; or, Bhagabad-gîtâ (from the Mahâbhârata) being a discourse between Arjuna, prince of India, and the Supreme Being under the form of Krishna by Arnold, Edwin, Sir