Continence — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈkän-tə-nən(t)s/ con·ti·nence

Meaning & Definition of Continence

Continence (noun)

  1. the ability to retain a bodily discharge voluntarily
  2. self-restraint; especially, a refraining from sexual intercourse

Continence (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. abstention from sexual intercourse

    "argued for a pregnancy-prevention program that did not put so much faith in the continence of teenagers"

    similar: abstinence, celibacy, chasteness, chastity
    related: modesty, purity, honor, innocence, virginity, virtue
    near: debauchery, lechery, licentiousness, venery, wenching, whoring

  2. the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others

    "experiencing a moment of unusual continence, I refrained from returning her gratuitous insult"

    similar: constraint, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression, reserve, restraint, self-command, self-control, self-restraint, suppression
    related: command, control, mastery, possession, self-censorship, self-containment, self-denial, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, will, willpower, composure, self-poise, self-possession, aloofness, detachedness, distance, bashfulness, modesty, shyness, reticence, silence, taciturnity
    opposite: disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint
    near: self-abandonment, uninhibitedness, unrestrainedness, gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence, bluntness, candor, frankness, immoderacy, intemperance

  3. the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions

    "a religious sect that demanded nearly superhuman continence from its adherents"

    similar: restraint, self-command, self-containment, self-control, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, self-possession, self-restraint, will, willpower
    related: self-abnegation, self-denial, moderateness, moderation, temperance, temperateness, determination, nerve, command, control, discipline, mastery, abnegation, abstention, avoidance, eschewal, forbearance, abstinence, soberness, sobriety, aplomb, assurance, composure, confidence, coolness, equanimity, poise, self-confidence, discretion
    near: gratification, indulgence, self-indulgence, excessiveness, immoderacy, intemperance, intemperateness, overindulgence, demerit, failing, fault, feebleness, foible, frailty, shortcoming, vice, weakness, indiscipline, unconstraint, unreserve, unreservedness, unrestraint

  4. voluntary restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites

    "a gambling mecca that has a reputation for being the sort of place where caution and continence are thrown to the wind"

    similar: abstinence, self-abnegation, self-denial, sobriety, temperance
    related: control, forbearance, restraint, discipline, self-command, self-control, self-discipline, self-mastery, asceticism, austerity
    opposite: self-indulgence
    near: gluttony, greed, rapaciousness, rapacity, voraciousness, voracity, hedonism, sensuality, sybaritism

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Continence

The most common words with a similar meaning to Continence:

abstinence, celibacy, chasteness, chastity, constraint, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression, reserve, restraint, self-command, self-control, self-restraint, suppression, self-containment, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, self-possession, will, willpower, self-abnegation, self-denial, sobriety, temperance

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Continence

Words with the opposite meaning of Continence:

disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint, self-indulgence

Related Words for Continence

modesty, purity, honor, innocence, virginity, virtue, command, control, mastery, possession, self-censorship, composure, self-poise, aloofness, detachedness, distance, bashfulness, shyness, reticence, silence, taciturnity, moderateness, moderation, temperateness, determination, nerve, abnegation, abstention, avoidance, eschewal

Near Antonyms of Continence

debauchery, lechery, licentiousness, venery, wenching, whoring, self-abandonment, uninhibitedness, unrestrainedness, gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, bluntness, candor, frankness, immoderacy, intemperance, excessiveness, intemperateness, demerit, failing, fault, feebleness, foible, frailty, shortcoming, vice, weakness, indiscipline, unreserve

Origin & Etymology of Continence

Middle English contynence, contenence "moderation, restraint, abstinence (from sexual intercourse)," borrowed from Anglo-French continence, borrowed from Medieval Latin continentia, going back to Latin, "restraint, self-control," derivative of continent-, continens "restrained, not indulging in excesses" continent:2

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Continence

Frequently Asked Questions about Continence

What does "Continence" mean?

"Continence" means the ability to retain a bodily discharge voluntarily. As a noun, it is defined as: the ability to retain a bodily discharge voluntarily. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Continence"?

Other words for "Continence" include abstinence, celibacy, chasteness, chastity, constraint, discipline, discretion and inhibition. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Continence" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Continence"?

There are 68 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Continence". Common alternatives include abstinence, celibacy, chasteness, chastity, constraint, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment and repression.

What is the opposite of "Continence"?

Antonyms of "Continence" include disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint and self-indulgence. Near antonyms include debauchery, lechery, licentiousness and venery.

How do you use "Continence" in a sentence?

Examples of "Continence" in a sentence: "argued for a pregnancy-prevention program that did not put so much faith in the continence of teenagers"; "experiencing a moment of unusual continence, I refrained from returning her gratuitous insult"; "a religious sect that demanded nearly superhuman continence from its adherents".

Is "Continence" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Continence" is a noun.

Is "Continence" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Continence" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Continence"?

"Continence" is pronounced /ˈkän-tə-nən(t)s/ and divided into syllables as con·ti·nence.