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

To get R95 funding, they also cannot require people to be totally abstinent before being admitted.

From Los Angeles Times

In fact, “age is actually the best predictor of a positive response,” he said, adding that “treatment doesn’t necessarily mean you have to become abstinent. We work with people to moderate their drinking.”

From New York Times

Purity balls typically saw fathers and their teenage daughters dressed up for a night of dinner and dancing that ends with the daughter signing a pledge to her father to abstain from dating and remain sexually abstinent until marriage.

From Salon

Harm reduction is the idea that someone does not need to be completely sober or abstinent from drugs in order to receive treatment and care or community support and sympathy.

From Seattle Times

The motion also quoted the court psychiatrist’s report, which found Hart’s “risk would be reduced if he remains abstinent from alcohol.”

From Seattle Times

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