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

Mr. Patten, as implied, is sober to the point of temperance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

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

From Seattle Times • Feb. 22, 2024

In Scotland, it was cooler, and in Wales, social forces were gathering against it, including the temperance movement.

From New York Times • Jan. 14, 2024

In August 1853, several months after her betrayal by the men in the temperance movement, Anthony attended the New York teachers’ convention in Rochester, New York.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Vocabulary lists containing temperance

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

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Born a Crime

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