All words

temperance

Meaning

The practice of exercising self-restraint and self-control, especially concerning the consumption of food, drink, or other indulgences.

Examples by difficulty

Basic: Simple, everyday vocabulary — the easiest to read.

Even when friends encouraged him to drink at the party, Mark held onto temperance and chose water instead. He remembered the hard times his father had with alcohol, so holding to temperance meant more to him than just following a rule. It helped him feel safe.

He tried temperance, a life without alcohol. The ache was real, a constant wanting, but he held on. He needed this clarity, this strength.

Tom's dad had been sober for five years now, practicing strict temperance after nearly losing his family to drinking. Every night, he'd sip sparkling water at dinner, proud of his choice to stay clear-headed and present for his wife and kids.

At the wild office party, George proudly showed off his temperance by clutching a glass of boring water, while everyone else juggled wild dance moves and fizzy cocktails. He claimed his secret was “abstinence from alcoholic drink,” but we suspected his true weakness was terrible breakdancing.

Barnaby Button, a man whose belly rumbled with the joy of a thousand feasts, declared a new lifestyle. He swore off fizzy beer, promising his wife he'd only drink water. This newfound temperance meant no more singing loudly off-key at the pub, much to the relief of his neighbours.

Normal: Standard, everyday language.

Though I am unable to drink, I do not let that ruin my fun. I can still go out and have a good time without alcohol. I find that temperance makes me a better person overall and I can still laugh.

The Temperance movement is a social movement that advocates for abstaining from alcoholic drink. The movement has been active throughout history, with various groups advocating for different levels of abstinence. The movement has had a significant impact on society, helping to reduce rates of alcohol consumption and the negative effects of alcohol abuse.

A reasonable temperance in all things is the best way to have a happy life. An excess of anything, even something as seemingly innocuous as play, can lead to problems. Temperance in alcoholic drink is especially important, as it can lead to addiction and ruin lives. Therefore, it is important to find a balance in all things, and temperance is a good way to achieve that.

We all have different conceptions of temperance. For some, it may mean simply avoiding excesses. For others, it may mean complete abstinence from alcohol or other drugs. While no single approach is right for everyone, there is value in considering temperance as a way to improve our lives.

I had always thought that I could handle my liquor. I was wrong. One night, after too many drinks, I lost my temper. I hit my wife. I hit my child. I blacked out. I woke up in a police cell. I Mind your temper. Abstain from alcohol. It could save your life.

Advanced: Richer vocabulary that stretches an upper-level reader.

At family gatherings, Mark practiced temperance while others toasted with wine. He remembered the arguments caused by drinking in his childhood home, which made him determined to avoid alcohol altogether. His temperance brought him peace, even if it made him feel a bit separate from the rest.

He'd sworn off alcohol years ago. The quiet mornings and clear head were worth the struggle. His commitment to temperance brought a profound sense of peace, a stark contrast to the chaotic nights he remembered.

After watching his father's life unravel through alcoholism, Jack embraced temperance, finding peace in clear-headed evenings and genuine connections with friends. His choice wasn't a judgment, but a personal path to healing and self-respect.

Uncle Harold’s attempt at temperance lasted precisely three hours, ending dramatically when Aunt Mabel’s sherry trifle appeared. Amid shouts of, “It’s for the children!” he declared abstinence from alcoholic drink impossible, especially when dessert required both willpower and a breathalyzer. The cat, meanwhile, remained unimpressed.

Bartholomew, a notorious wretch, vowed temperance, his fervent abstention from alcoholic drink so profound he'd glare at a spilled glass of water, convinced it harbored fermented secrets. His resolve, however, wavered when faced with a particularly potent sherry trifle.

Challenging: Rare, high-register vocabulary for serious word lovers.

At the wedding reception, Noah’s temperance set him apart from the crowd. He politely refused every offer of wine, explaining his dedication to abstinence from alcoholic drink. While others laughed loudly and toasted, he remained composed, appreciating meaningful conversations over the clamor of celebration.

His newfound temperance brought him a clarity he hadn't realized he lacked. Gone were the hazy mornings and the regrettable outbursts. He embraced this abstemious lifestyle, finding a quiet satisfaction in the absence of intoxicating spirits, a profound internal stability blossoming.

At the family intervention, Uncle Mike's alcoholism had finally reached a breaking point. His siblings implored him to embrace temperance, knowing his drinking was destroying his marriage and career. They spoke with compassion, hoping he would understand that sobriety could rebuild everything he was losing.

To everyone’s astonishment, Uncle Mortimer—once notorious for his penchant for flamboyant toasts and inebriated karaoke—now champions temperance at family soirées, regaling us with tales of how abstinence from alcoholic drink has improved his chess skills but, regrettably, not his interpretive dance routines.

Hoping to eschew the ephemeral delirium of potent spirits, Bartholomew embraced temperance, a vow as rigorous as a Zen monk's vow of silence, thereby abstaining from the fermented nectar that once prompted his most egregious and lamentable escapades.

Difficulty

Normal — Everyday words worth reinforcing.

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