continence
noun
con·ti·nence ˈkän-tə-nən(t)s 
1
: the ability to retain a bodily discharge voluntarily
fecal continence
2
: self-restraint
especially : a refraining from sexual intercourse
Synonyms
- abstinence
- celibacy
- chasteness
- chastity
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
argued for a pregnancy-prevention program that did not put so much faith in the continence of teenagers experiencing a moment of unusual continence, I refrained from returning her gratuitous insult
Recent Examples on the Web But even with the delayed start, most healthy, neurotypical kids achieve at least daytime continence by age three. 
Leah Campbell, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2021 Share prices have soared for large Danish health companies such as Coloplast — a major player in the market for colostomy pouches, continence and skin and wound care treatments — and Genmab, a biotech company specializing in cancer treatments. Matt Phillips, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2020 This also means that patients experience higher rates of erectile-function recovery and a faster return to urinary continence. WSJ, 24 June 2018 Charging by service can include extra fees for help with bathing or showering, dressing, grooming or managing continence. Cassie Cope And Fred Clasen-kelly, charlotteobserver, 31 May 2018 Although nearly everyone thinks happiness declines with age—along with our posture, continence and memory—the truth is more interesting. Emily Bobrow, WSJ, 31 May 2018
Leah Campbell, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2021 Share prices have soared for large Danish health companies such as Coloplast — a major player in the market for colostomy pouches, continence and skin and wound care treatments — and Genmab, a biotech company specializing in cancer treatments. Matt Phillips, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2020 This also means that patients experience higher rates of erectile-function recovery and a faster return to urinary continence. WSJ, 24 June 2018 Charging by service can include extra fees for help with bathing or showering, dressing, grooming or managing continence. Cassie Cope And Fred Clasen-kelly, charlotteobserver, 31 May 2018 Although nearly everyone thinks happiness declines with age—along with our posture, continence and memory—the truth is more interesting. Emily Bobrow, WSJ, 31 May 2018 Word History
Etymology
Middle English contynence, contenence "moderation, restraint, abstinence (from sexual intercourse)," borrowed from Anglo-French continence, borrowed from Medieval Latin continentia, going back to Latin, "restraint, self-control," derivative of continent-, continens "restrained, not indulging in excesses" — more at continent entry 2
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Medical Definition
continence
noun
con·ti·nence ˈkänt-ᵊn-ən(t)s
1
: self-restraint in refraining from sexual intercourse
2
: the ability to retain a bodily discharge voluntarily
fecal continence
continence
noun
1
as in purity
abstention from sexual intercourse argued for a pregnancy-prevention program that did not put so much faith in the continence of teenagers Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- purity
- celibacy
- chastity
- abstinence
- virginity
- chasteness
- virtue
- modesty
- innocence
- honor
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- licentiousness
- lechery
- debauchery
- venery
- whoring
- wenching
2
as in discipline
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others experiencing a moment of unusual continence, I refrained from returning her gratuitous insult Synonyms & Similar Words
- discipline
- restraint
- inhibition
- repression
- suppression
- composure
- constraint
- self-command
- self-control
- discretion
- self-restraint
- refrainment
- reserve
- possession
- mastery
- willpower
- self-mastery
- modesty
- control
- self-containment
- bashfulness
- self-discipline
- aloofness
- self-denial
- will
- silence
- detachedness
- reticence
- taciturnity
- distance
- shyness
- self-possession
- command
- self-censorship
- self-poise
- self-government
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- incontinence
- disinhibition
- unconstraint
- gratification
- indulgence
- uninhibitedness
- frankness
- candor
- overindulgence
- bluntness
- self-abandonment
- intemperance
- unrestrainedness
- self-indulgence
- immoderacy
3
as in restraint
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions a religious sect that demanded nearly superhuman continence from its adherents Synonyms & Similar Words
- restraint
- temperance
- willpower
- composure
- self-mastery
- temperateness
- nerve
- self-containment
- determination
- self-command
- self-discipline
- self-control
- will
- discipline
- self-restraint
- assurance
- self-possession
- confidence
- abstinence
- moderation
- abnegation
- self-abnegation
- moderateness
- self-government
- equanimity
- sobriety
- abstention
- avoidance
- mastery
- soberness
- self-denial
- forbearance
- eschewal
- control
- poise
- coolness
- command
- discretion
- aplomb
- self-confidence
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- indulgence
- gratification
- intemperance
- feebleness
- frailty
- overindulgence
- weakness
- intemperateness
- vice
- failing
- excessiveness
- unrestraint
- shortcoming
- unreserve
- unconstraint
- self-indulgence
- foible
- demerit
- fault
- immoderacy
- indiscipline
- unreservedness
4
as in temperance
voluntary restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites a gambling mecca that has a reputation for being the sort of place where caution and continence are thrown to the wind Synonyms & Similar Words
- temperance
- abstinence
- discipline
- sobriety
- restraint
- self-abnegation
- self-denial
- self-mastery
- asceticism
- forbearance
- self-command
- self-control
- self-discipline
- control
- austerity
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sensuality
- rapacity
- gluttony
- greed
- voracity
- voraciousness
- rapaciousness
- hedonism
- self-indulgence
- sybaritism