Synonyms of abstemious

52 similar words · 20 opposite words

Another word for abstemious is sober. Other synonyms of abstemious are self-denying, economic, self-sacrificing, temperate and abstinent. The opposite of abstemious is prodigal.

Synonyms and similar words for abstemious

abstinentRefraining from indulgence, especially from the indulgence of appetite.
soberNot given to excessive drinking of alcohol.
temperateModerate in the indulgence of the natural appetites or passions.

abstentiousCharacterized by abstinence; self-restraint.
continent
otherish
selflessHaving, exhibiting or motivated by no concern for oneself but for others; unselfish.
self-abnegatoryOf or relating to self-abnegation (the denial or invalidation of one's own needs, interests, etc. for the sake of...
self-denyingWithout concern for one's own advantage; selfless or self-sacrificing.
self-flagellatorySelf-sacrificing.
self-sacrificingMaking, or willing to make, a self-sacrifice.
unselfishNot selfish.
calm
collected
composedShowing composure.
cool
dispassionateNot showing, and not affected by, emotion, bias, or prejudice.
inexcitableNot excitable.
imperturbableNot capable of being, or not easily, perturbed, excited, or upset; calm and collected, even under pressure.
sedate
steady
staidNot capricious or impulsive; sedate, serious, sober.
undisturbed
unexcitable
unexcited
unimpassionedNot impassioned; lacking passion; without emotion.
unpassionateNot passionate.
unperturbedNot perturbed.
unruffled
unstirred
unsusceptibleNot susceptible.
regular rare

frugal
sparingPrudent and restrained in the use of resources; careful, economical or frugal.
cannyFrugal, thrifty.
chary
moderate
cheap
close with a buckPrudent in the expenditure of money; frugal; parsimonious.
economicFrugal; cheap (in the sense of representing good value); economical.
economicalCareful with money so as not to spend too much; prudent; thrifty.
provident formal
huswifelyHousewifely, i.e. capable, economical, prudent.
parsimoniousExhibiting parsimony; sparing in the expenditure of money; frugal, possibly to excess.
penny-pinchingReluctant to spend money; close-fisted.
prudentFrugal; economical; not extravagant.
thriftyShowing thrift; economical; frugal.
tight
tightwad
husbandly obsolete
spareful obsoleteAbstemious; Lacking in appetite or vitality.
spary obsoleteSparing; frugal; parsimonious.

extravagant
squanderingThe act by which something is squandered; wastage.
improvident
imprudentNot prudent; lacking prudence or discretion; indiscreet; injudicious; not paying attention to the consequences of one's...
lavish
loose-handed
prodigalWastefully extravagant.
profligate
reckless
spendthrift
uneconomicalNot economical.
unthriftyNot thrifty: wasteful, extravagant; unproductive.
wasteful

adjective Refraining from freely consuming food or strong drink; sparing in diet; abstinent, temperate.
adjective Sparing in the indulgence of the appetite or passions.
adjective Sparingly used; used with temperance or moderation.

What is another word for abstemious?: Abstemious has 52 synonyms on Word.ws, such as sober, self-denying, economic, self-sacrificing, temperate, abstinent, economical and staid.
What is the opposite of abstemious?: The opposite of abstemious is prodigal. Other antonyms of abstemious are hedonistic.
What does abstemious mean?: Abstemious means refraining from freely consuming food or strong drink; sparing in diet; abstinent, temperate.

Adapted from Wiktionary: abstemious (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.

Last updated: 2026-09-02

Cite this page: “Synonyms of abstemious.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/abstemious. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.