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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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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

The mandatory celibacy aside, preserving my fertility at 35 and pondering what it meant for prospective partners had clouded my usual fervor.

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 19, 2025

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

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

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




Vocabulary lists containing celibacy


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