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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.

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In Thailand, Buddhist monks take a vow of celibacy and also renounce material possessions.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

The ecstasies of attraction are sublimated into their long conversations about Boethius and Hildegard von Bingen, or about the suddenly debatable issues of contraception and clerical celibacy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026

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

Even though Febos’ wife, poet Donika Kelly, who Febos met after her period of celibacy concluded, appears briefly at the end of the book, Febos resisted having her there at all.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2025

One contemporary critic described Les Noces as 'enough to convert intending brides and bridegrooms to celibacy’.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall




Vocabulary lists containing celibacy


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