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GRE vocabulary

abstemious

adjectiveHigh-frequency wordMore A words

marked by moderation, especially in food and drink

Word origin: From Latin abstemius (abs- from plus temetum strong drink).

In a sentence

Abstemious in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing abstemious in a sentence.

Her abstemious diet consisted of little more than vegetables and water.

The visiting scholar was famously abstemious, declining the banquet's rich courses in favor of bread and water.

Synonyms
temperatemoderatesparing
Antonyms
indulgentgluttonousexcessive
Usage & nuance

Using “abstemious” well

Abstemious specifically describes restraint in consuming food and drink, narrower than the broader temperate or moderate. It implies deliberate self-restraint rather than mere lack of appetite.

Common questions

Questions about “abstemious

Abstemious (adjective) means marked by moderation, especially in food and drink
Here is abstemious used in an example sentence: "Her abstemious diet consisted of little more than vegetables and water." Another example: "The visiting scholar was famously abstemious, declining the banquet's rich courses in favor of bread and water."
Common synonyms for abstemious include temperate, moderate, sparing.
Antonyms of abstemious include indulgent, gluttonous, excessive.
Abstemious pairs with temperate, moderate, and sparing in GRE Verbal. Its antonyms indulgent, gluttonous, and excessive mark the opposing pole of unchecked consumption.
Yes. Abstemious is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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