1
as in temperateness
an avoidance of extremes in one's actions, beliefs, or habits
my father attributes his ripe old age to temperance in all things, especially eating and drinking
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in abstinence
voluntary restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites
practices a blue-blooded temperance that his parvenu neighbors will never understand
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of temperance
The combination of good liquor and bad effects created a robust temperance movement by the 1840s—one that enlisted writers, such as Walt Whitman and Jack London, showmen such as P. T. Barnum, and women struggling to overcome societal subjugation such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
—
Susan Cheever, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2016
But, according to temperance advocates, that paled in comparison to the danger posed by pregnant white women who drank.
—Elizabeth Marshall / Made By History, TIME, 23 Oct. 2024
Research reveals that the character dimension of temperance (being patient, calm, composed, self-controlled and prudent) is chronically underdeveloped, weakening the foundation of other character strengths like drive and accountability.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Following a series of phone calls to the bank, none of which were notable for their diplomatic temperance on my part, an underwriter clarified that my business credit report had been flagged, not my personal one—a detail the form letter had failed to clarify.
—Levi King, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for temperance 
Susan Cheever, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2016
But, according to temperance advocates, that paled in comparison to the danger posed by pregnant white women who drank.
—Elizabeth Marshall / Made By History, TIME, 23 Oct. 2024
Research reveals that the character dimension of temperance (being patient, calm, composed, self-controlled and prudent) is chronically underdeveloped, weakening the foundation of other character strengths like drive and accountability.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Following a series of phone calls to the bank, none of which were notable for their diplomatic temperance on my part, an underwriter clarified that my business credit report had been flagged, not my personal one—a detail the form letter had failed to clarify.
—Levi King, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for temperance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temperance
Noun
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Those leaders encouraged independent Black education, community development, abstinence from drugs and alcohol and many other changes.—
Ahmed Ali Akbar,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
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Thus Mardi Gras is that last party before the marked time of abstinence.—
Jenny Adams,
AFAR Media,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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This year actually marks the 25th anniversary of Rascal Flatts and the tour will celebrate that as well as the fact that band member Joe Don Rooney is celebrating three-plus years of sobriety.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
WWD,
11 Feb. 2025
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DeMarcus, who plays bass for the beloved country group, opened up about the ways sobriety has changed Rooney — who in 2021 was arrested for DUI — for the better in a new interview with the Taste of Country Nights podcast.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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If not, consider how incorporating the discipline of stillness into your life could be of benefit to you.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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State complaints, discipline and Brazilian butt lift injury or death present nothing new for New Life Plastic Surgery, 8400 SW Eighth St., which lists Morales among its surgeons.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Changes in legislation last year outlawed the use of face down prone restraints on students and resulted in several police departments to suspend its school officer agreements and remove officers from campuses.—
Jacqueline Devine,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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Under Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns, the Mets showed financial restraint in dealing with Alonso, a fan favorite in New York.—
Will Sammon,
The Athletic,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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This includes the five major types: stress incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, overflow incontinence, and functional continence.—
Jamin Brahmbhatt,
Verywell Health,
29 July 2024
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Good posture helps maintain continence, support pelvic organs, and reduce back pain.—
Staci Tanouye,
Parents,
29 Aug. 2023
Noun
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But the biblical term for self-denial – inui – has another meaning.—
Rabbi Avi Weiss,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Oct. 2024
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The Ford Focus Electric, with its appealing, Euro-hatchback lines, lacks the frumpy feel of self-denial often associated with electric cars.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
28 Mar. 2012
Noun
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The audience responds gratefully to this level of self-abnegation, and the frankly chilling sounds that come out of her.—
Helen Shaw,
The New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2024
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His self-abnegation proved successful: Trump endorsed him, and Vance won the primary and then the general election.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
The New Yorker,
15 July 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near temperance
Cite this Entry
“Temperance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temperance. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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