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Showing results for temperance.
Definitions

temperance

[tem-per-uhns, tem-pruhns] / ˈtɛm pər əns, ˈtɛm prəns /
NOUN
self-restraint; abstinence
Synonyms
STRONG
abnegation abstemiousness asceticism astringency austerity conservatism constraint continence control discretion forbearance forgoing frugality measure moderateness moderation moderatism mortification prohibition prudence reasonableness restraint sacrifice self-control self-denial self-discipline soberness sobriety stoicism teetotalism
WEAK
eschewal golden mean happy medium refrainment self-deprivation uninebriation unintoxication
Antonyms
STRONG
agitation allowance carelessness indulgence permission rashness wildness
WEAK
excess intemperance

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.

"Edinburgh was more the intellectual city in Scotland and the temperance movement went alongside the more industrial areas."

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025

Some temperance is overdue in the AI space.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

Early Free Methodists were active in the temperance and abolitionist movements.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 22, 2024

Our affect becomes less impacted by the precarity of external events and instead, we can concentrate on cultivating certain virtues like wisdom, courage, justice and temperance.

From Salon • Jan. 30, 2024

Most of these businesses reopened, however, which led temperance workers to realize that they would have to change the laws.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.