Abstemious-Abstinent | Commonly Confused Words
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Abstemious vs. Abstinent

Abstemious

/əbˈstiːmɪəs/
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:

etymology
  • Abstemious relates to moderation, focusing on controlling one's consumption, particularly with food and drink.
  • Abstinent involves completely avoiding certain substances or activities, often for moral or health reasons.
  • Think of abstemious as moderate and abstinent as none.
  • Abstemious highlights balance, while abstinent implies total restraint.
  • Consider abstemious as taking small sips and abstinent as avoiding the drink entirely.
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