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Glite Dictionary
abstemiousness

abstemiousness

9.9
A habit of eating and drinking only small amounts to avoid excess
  • noun
  • /æbˈstiːmiəsnəs/
  • Formal
translation icon : moderación
  • His remarkable abstemiousness during the holiday season was impressive, as he resisted the temptation to overindulge in sweets.

Examples

  • Her abstemiousness at the buffet surprised everyone.

  • Her abstemiousness at parties was well known among her friends.

  • Despite the lavish buffet, his abstemiousness kept him from overindulging.

  • He admired her abstemiousness in both diet and drink.

  • John's abstemiousness is commendable during the holidays.

  • The monk practiced abstemiousness by eating only one simple meal a day to focus on his meditation.

  • Living a life of abstemiousness, she chose to drink water instead of soda and eat small portions of food.

Synonyms

moderation
vsabstemiousness
47 3.5

Keeping actions or feelings within reasonable limits

is specifically about self-restraint in eating and drinking
temperance
vsabstemiousness
5 7.1

Control of eating, drinking, and behavior to avoid excess

is more narrowly about self-restraint in eating and drinking
temperateness
vsabstemiousness
7.5

A calm way of controlling actions and feelings to avoid too much

is more focused on restraint in eating and drinking
nonindulgence
vsabstemiousness
8.8

Choosing not to enjoy pleasures or luxuries to control yourself

is about measured restraint in eating and drinking rather than avoiding pleasures

Antonyms

indulgence
24 6.0

A small pleasure you allow yourself, often without much self-control

intemperance
  • Formal
1 9.1

Not having control over what you do, especially eating or drinking too much

How Restrained

asceticism
  • Formal
3 9.4
abstemiousness
  • Formal
9.9
temperance
5 7.1
moderation
47 3.5
indulgence
24 6.0

Surface Forms

abstemiousness singular
abstemiousnesses plural

Morphology

abstemiousness = abstemious (opaque) = abstemious + ness

The noun is formed by the regular addition of '-ness' to an adjective to denote the quality or state.

Etymology

Abstemiousness comes from Latin parts ab- ('away from') and temetum ('strong drink'), so it originally meant keeping away from heavy drinking. A helpful way to remember it is to think of abstain: abstemiousness is about self-control and moderation, especially with food and drink.