Someone who shows restraint, especially with food or drink.
Examples:
Julia's abstemious diet paid off with increased energy.Despite being surrounded by indulgence, he remained abstemious.The monk's abstemious lifestyle impressed his followers.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Abstinent
/ˈabstɪnənt/
Refraining from indulging in something, often alcohol or other pleasures.
Examples:
He maintained an abstinent lifestyle, avoiding all temptations.Her abstinent approach to sugar improved her health greatly.Despite pressures, he remained abstinent from alcohol at the party.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
Abstemious refers to moderate or restrained consumption, usually of food and drink. It implies a level of self-control but not necessarily avoidance.
Abstinent refers to completely refraining from something, often related to alcohol, drugs, or other substances and activities.
If someone is abstemious, they might still indulge occasionally but do so in moderation.
An abstinent person avoids the substance or activity entirely, often for moral, religious, or health reasons.
Remember: Abstemious is about moderation; Abstinent is about complete avoidance.