Online English Vocabulary Flashcards for Restraint and Moderation Words

abnegate (verb) /ˈabnɪɡeɪt/
Definition: To renounce, relinquish, or give up something, often for a greater cause or to show humility.
Example Sentence: "Parents often abnegate their own leisure time in order to support their children’s activities."
Synonyms: abandon; abdicate; abstain; concede; decline; deny
Opposite Meaning: embrace

abstain (verb) /əbˈsteɪn/
Definition: To voluntarily refrain from doing something, especially from engaging in a particular behavior, action, or consumption.
Example Sentence: "The athlete chose to abstain from alcohol in order to maintain their fitness level."
Synonyms: avoid; decline; desist; eschew; forbear; forgo
Opposite Meaning: indulge

abstemious (adjective) /əbˈstiːmɪəs/
Definition: Self-restraining, particularly when it comes to food and drink.
Example Sentence: "She lived an abstemious life, avoiding excess in all things."
Synonyms: abstentious; abstinent; ascetic; austere; frugal; moderate
Opposite Meaning: indulgent

abstinence (noun) /ˈabstɪnəns/
Definition: The practice of refraining from certain activities or behaviors, particularly those that are considered to be harmful or addictive.
Example Sentence: "He decision to practice abstinence was based on personal and religious beliefs."
Synonyms: abstemiousness; abstention; asceticism; avoidance; continence; forbearance
Opposite Meaning: indulgence

ascetic (adjective) /əˈsɛtɪk/
Definition: Extreme self-discipline and abstinence from worldly pleasures or comforts.
Example Sentence: "The monk lived an ascetic lifestyle, free from worldly possessions."
Synonyms: abstemious; austere; celibate; monastic; monkish; puritanical
Opposite Meaning: hedonistic

austerity (noun) /ɔːˈstɛrɪti/
Definition: Voluntary restraint or increased frugality especially in a stern and serious manner or attitude.
Example Sentence: "The company implemented austerity measures to stay afloat during the recession."
Synonyms: asceticism; discipline; economy; frugality; hardship; harshness
Opposite Meaning: extravagance

celibate (adjective) /ˈsɛlɪbət/
Definition: Voluntarily choosing to abstain from engaging in sexual activity or from entering into a marital or sexual relationship.
Example Sentence: "The priest was committed to living a celibate life as a part of his religious vows."
Synonyms: abstinent; chaste; continent; innocent; maiden; pure
Opposite Meaning: promiscuous

constraint (noun) /kənˈstreɪnt/
Definition: A limitation or restriction that is placed on a person, thing, or situation.
Example Sentence: "The time constraint forced them to work quickly."
Synonyms: check; curb; damper; deterrent; hindrance; inhibition
Opposite Meaning: freedom

curb (verb) /kɜrb/
Definition: To restrain, limit, or control something, typically to prevent excess or undesirable behavior or to maintain order.
Example Sentence: "She made a conscious effort to curb her impulsive shopping habits."
Synonyms: check; control; govern; limit; manage; regulate
Opposite Meaning: encourage

curtail (verb) /kəːˈteɪl/
Definition: To reduce, limit, or shorten something, often with the intention of making it more manageable or less extensive.
Example Sentence: "The company had to curtail production due to a shortage of raw materials."
Synonyms: abridge; chop; clip; decrease; diminish; lessen
Opposite Meaning: extend

decline (verb) /dɪˈklaɪn/
Definition: To refuse, reject, or say no to something.
Example Sentence: "She will decline the invitation due to her tight schedule."
Synonyms: deny; disapprove; dismiss; disregard; rebuff; refuse
Opposite Meaning: accept

desist (verb) /dɪˈsɪst/
Definition: To stop doing something, especially when it is no longer appropriate or necessary.
Example Sentence: "The teacher asked the students to desist from talking during the test."
Synonyms: abandon; abstain; avoid; cease; discontinue; end
Opposite Meaning: continue

economical (adjective) /ˌɛk əˈnɒm ɪ kəl/
Definition: Efficient and prudent in the use of resources, especially when it comes to saving time, money, or materials.
Example Sentence: "He was economical with his words, always choosing them carefully."
Synonyms: careful; conserving; economizing; parsimonious; prudent; saving
Opposite Meaning: wasteful

fetter (verb) /ˈfɛt ər/
Definition: To restrain, restrict, or confine someone or something, typically by binding or chaining them physically or metaphorically.
Example Sentence: "His responsibilities fetter his ability to pursue his hobbies."
Synonyms: bind; chain; confine; handcuff; immobilize; leash
Opposite Meaning: liberate

forbear (verb) /fɔrˈbɛər/
Definition: To refrain or abstain from doing something, particularly in a patient, self-controlled, or restrained manner.
Example Sentence: "He had to forbear from eating the delicious dessert as he was on a strict diet."
Synonyms: abstain; control; curb; desist; endure; refrain
Opposite Meaning: indulge

frugality (noun) /fruˈgæl ɪ ti/
Definition: The quality or state of being frugal, which is the practice of being economical and mindful in the use of resources, especially money.
Example Sentence: "His frugality allowed him to save a significant amount of money for future endeavors."
Synonyms: conservation; economy; frugalness; moderation; parsimony; prudence
Opposite Meaning: extravagance

inhibit (verb) /ɪnˈhɪbɪt/
Definition: To restrain or prevent something or someone from functioning or acting in a particular way.
Example Sentence: "Alcohol can inhibit your ability to make rational decisions."
Synonyms: bridle; constrain; curb; debar; forbid; frustrate
Opposite Meaning: encourage

moderate (adjective) /ˈmɒd(ə)rət/
Definition: Average in size, amount, quality, or degree, especially when compared to other things of the same kind.
Example Sentence: "The pain was moderate and could be managed with over-the-counter medication."
Synonyms: calm; medium; mild; modest; neutral; reasonable
Opposite Meaning: extreme

moderation (noun) /ˌmɒdəˈreɪʃn/
Definition: The act of avoiding extremes or excesses in one's behavior or attitudes.
Example Sentence: "The moderation in her diet helped her lose weight."
Synonyms: balance; constraint; discipline; equanimity; mildness; patience
Opposite Meaning: excess

refrain (verb) /rɪˈfreɪn/
Definition: To avoid doing something, often because of a strong desire to resist a temptation or a certain behavior.
Example Sentence: "I had to refrain from eating the entire cake to save some for my family."
Synonyms: abstain; avoid; cease; check; control; curb
Opposite Meaning: partake

restrained (adjective) /rɪˈstreɪnd/
Definition: Exhibiting self-control, moderation, or a deliberate limitation of expression, action, or behavior.
Example Sentence: "Despite heis anger, he remained restrained and spoke calmly."
Synonyms: composed; contained; controlled; disciplined; inhibited; measured
Opposite Meaning: unrestrained

restraint (noun) /rɪˈstreɪnt/
Definition: The act of holding back or limiting oneself from taking a particular action or behaving in a certain way.
Example Sentence: "She showed remarkable restraint in not retaliating to his insults."
Synonyms: abstinence; check; composure; constraint; control; curtailment
Opposite Meaning: abandon

skimp (verb) /skɪmp/
Definition: To provide or use an insufficient amount of something, usually in an attempt to save time, money, or effort.
Example Sentence: "He would never skimp on quality when it came to buying tools for his workshop."
Synonyms: conserve; economize; husband; manage; pinch; preserve
Opposite Meaning: lavish

sober (adjective) /ˈsəʊbə/
Definition: Serious, calm, and clear-headed, particularly not being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Example Sentence: "The discussion was sober and thought-provoking."
Synonyms: abstinent; composed; lucid; rational; reasonable; restrained
Opposite Meaning: intoxicated

sobriety (noun) /səˈbrʌɪəti/
Definition: A state or quality of being sober, which means being clear-headed, free from the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any intoxicating substances.
Example Sentence: "She struggled with sobriety after years of addiction."
Synonyms: abstinence; asceticism; discipline; forbearance; nonindulgence; restraint
Opposite Meaning: intoxication

sparing (adjective) /ˈspɛrɪŋ/
Definition: Using something carefully or in small quantities to avoid wasting or depleting it.
Example Sentence: "The traveler was sparing with their packing, only bringing essentials for the trip."
Synonyms: cautious; conservative; conserving; economical; frugal; judicious
Opposite Meaning: wasteful

stifle (verb) /ˈstʌɪfl/
Definition: To suppress or smother something, such as an emotion, an idea, or a movement.
Example Sentence: "She tried to stifle her laughter during the serious meeting."
Synonyms: curb; extinguish; hush; muffle; prevent; repress
Opposite Meaning: encourage

subdue (verb) /səbˈdu/
Definition: To conquer, overcome, or bring under control, often through force, persuasion, or the exertion of power or authority.
Example Sentence: "The firefighters worked to subdue the flames of the burning building."
Synonyms: conquer; master; overcome; overpower; pacify; quell
Opposite Meaning: liberate

suppress (verb) /səˈprɛs/
Definition: To prevent or restrain something from being expressed, disclosed, or released.
Example Sentence: "He had to suppress his anger when he received the disappointing news."
Synonyms: censor; check; control; inhibit; quell; silence
Opposite Meaning: reveal

temperance (noun) /ˈtɛmp(ə)r(ə)ns/
Definition: The practice of moderation or self-control, particularly in relation to pleasure and desires.
Example Sentence: "The monk lived a life of temperance, abstaining from worldly pleasures."
Synonyms: abstemiousness; abstinence; asceticism; continence; control; discipline
Opposite Meaning: excess

trammel (verb) /ˈtræm əl/
Definition: To restrict, confine, or impede the movement, progress, or development of something or someone.
Example Sentence: "The restrictive laws may trammel the growth of the economy."
Synonyms: bind; constrain; curtail; encumber; fetter; hamper
Opposite Meaning: liberate

withdraw (verb) /wɪðˈdrɔː/
Definition: To remove, retreat, or disengage from a particular situation or context.
Example Sentence: "She decided to withdraw her application from the job posting."
Synonyms: depart; detach; extract; leave; pull; recall
Opposite Meaning: advance