abstinent

[ ab-stuh-nuhnt ]

adjective

1. practicing abstinence; refraining from any indulgence of a particular appetite, impulse, or desire, as from alcohol, sexual activity, social media, etc.:

   In the study, 30 participants were abstinent for 8 hours from their smartphones while 30 participants practiced normal use.

2. refraining from using a substance or engaging in an activity to which one has become addicted:

   For several months I was abstinent, and mistakenly took this as proof I could control my gambling.

3. not casting a vote:

   The first feature of the group’s success is their ability to increase turnout among previously abstinent voters.

noun

1. a person who refrains from any indulgence of a particular appetite, habit, or addiction:

   I'm 21 years old and an abstinent—I used to do drugs, including LSD and speed, but I’ve quit.

2. a person who is eligible to vote but chooses not to do so:

   In comparison to those who vote, abstinents are mostly less satisfied with the political and social situation in their country.

Other Words From

• ab·sti·nent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of abstinent¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Middle French, from Latin abstinent-, stem of abstinēns “avoiding,” present participle of abstinēre “to avoid, restrain, withhold,” literally, “to hold away from”; abstain ( def )

Example Sentences

Of these, 43 million are “at risk” for pregnancy—the other 19 million are abstinent or sterile or already pregnant.

From The Daily Beast

Bristol Palin was not an abstinent teen—as evidenced by the 3-year-old son often seen resting on her hip.

From The Daily Beast

Participants were divided into four categories of drinking frequency: abstinent, moderate, hazardous, and alcohol-dependent.

From The Daily Beast

The lecturer was convinced that as a result of his lectures his students were exceptionally chaste and abstinent.

From Project Gutenberg

He had sworn that he would maintain his manner of abstinent living till he fell in love with a girl who loved him in return.

From Project Gutenberg

But my poverty kept me abstinent and my youthful romanticism kept me chaste until my married life was well under way.

From Project Gutenberg

Another glutton, in contrast with whom Fordyce was an abstinent, was Dr. Beauford.

From Project Gutenberg

It costs less than nothing to avoid overeating and overweight, and to be totally abstinent from alcohol and tobacco.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• balanced
• bearable
• cautious
• conservative
• gentle
• limited
• middle-of-the-road
• mild
• modest
• neutral
• not extreme
• pleasant
• reasonable
• soft
• steady
• tame
• temperate
• tolerable
• tolerant