monastic
1 of 2adjective
mo·nas·tic mə-ˈna-stik 
1
: of or relating to monasteries or to monks or nuns
the rituals of monastic life
2
: resembling (as in seclusion or ascetic simplicity) life in a monastery
shows a monastic dedication to his job
monastically
mə-ˈna-sti-k(ə-)lē
adverb monasticism
mə-ˈna-stə-ˌsi-zəm
noun monastic
2 of 2noun
plural monastics
: a member of a monastic order : a person (such as a monk) who lives under religious vows
Monastics are people who … every day try hard to become part of a community—to relinquish aspects of the very egoism the rest of us spend our lives, in various ways, trying to enhance.
Robert Coles
Robert Coles
Example Sentences
Adjective He founded a monastic order in Belgium. He shows a monastic dedication to his job. She studied for the test with monastic zeal.
Recent Examples on the Web Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2022 On two occasions, Weakland attempted to leave Milwaukee and live out his days in the monastic life that formed him. Annysa Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2022 Two hundred years ago, for instance, monastic life was celebrated for its purity. Jeffrey A. Hall, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 The swanky custom gold details, industrial matte and concrete materials, and warm wood paneling blends monastic calm with bold design. Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 4 Aug. 2022 The Athenian landscaper Helli Pangalou, known for her work with the architect Renzo Piano, designed the small garden to be somewhat reminiscent of monastic courtyards, with plantings of jasmine and myrtle. New York Times, 29 July 2022 The monastic project showed me how to turn loneliness into solitude. Fred Bahnson, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022 Based on an ancient monastic tradition and redefined by the late Trappist monk Father Thomas Keating, Centering Prayer can be practiced individually or in small groups. Cathi Douglas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 July 2022 Writers are given a comfortably monastic studio with a desk and chairs; composers’ studios include the same, plus a baby grand piano. Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2022 See More
Adjective
Others were giving kora lessons at monastic communities in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire. Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2022 On two occasions, Weakland attempted to leave Milwaukee and live out his days in the monastic life that formed him. Annysa Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2022 Two hundred years ago, for instance, monastic life was celebrated for its purity. Jeffrey A. Hall, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 The swanky custom gold details, industrial matte and concrete materials, and warm wood paneling blends monastic calm with bold design. Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 4 Aug. 2022 The Athenian landscaper Helli Pangalou, known for her work with the architect Renzo Piano, designed the small garden to be somewhat reminiscent of monastic courtyards, with plantings of jasmine and myrtle. New York Times, 29 July 2022 The monastic project showed me how to turn loneliness into solitude. Fred Bahnson, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022 Based on an ancient monastic tradition and redefined by the late Trappist monk Father Thomas Keating, Centering Prayer can be practiced individually or in small groups. Cathi Douglas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 July 2022 Writers are given a comfortably monastic studio with a desk and chairs; composers’ studios include the same, plus a baby grand piano. Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Adjective
circa 1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
1632, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
monastic
adjective
mo·nas·tic mə-ˈna-stik
: of or relating to monks or monasteries
He took monastic vows.
monasticism
noun
as in asceticism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- asceticism
- austereness
- dourness
- gruffness
- pitilessness
- callousness
- obduracy
- implacability
- austerity
- steadfastness
- obdurateness
- resolve
- rigidity
- obstinacy
- hard-heartedness
- stubbornness
- strictness
- sternness
- severity
- rigidness
- inflexibility
- firmness
- stringency
- determination
- harshness
- exactingness
- hardness
- rigorousness
- rigor
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- tolerance
- indulgence
- forbearance
- softness
- tenderness
- patience
- gentleness
- kindness
- lenience
- flexibility
- laxness
- mildness