ENGLISH
REFERENCE

abstentious

adj.
C1 Advanced ab·sten·tious

adj. describing someone who avoids doing something they might enjoy, often for religious or health reasons. You use this to talk about people who choose not to have sex or to eat less.

adj. characterised by the practice of self-restraint or the avoidance of indulgence in pleasures, particularly sexual or culinary ones. Often used in the context of religious vows or medical advice.


SIMPLE

He lived an abstentious life to follow his religious beliefs.

CONTEXTUAL

The doctor recommended an abstentious diet for the patient to help lower his blood pressure.

COMPLEX

The monk's abstentious lifestyle was a stark contrast to the hedonistic habits of the court, where luxury and excess were the norm.

Synonyms
Origin

From abstention + -ous.

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