practice complete abstinence

/ˈpræk.tɪs kəmˈpliːt ˈæb.stɪ.nəns/

verb phrase

  1. To deliberately avoid something entirely, especially alcohol, drugs, sex, or certain foods.

    B2

    transitive; practice abstinence from somethingformal

    • "He practices complete abstinence from alcohol."B1
    • "Some people practice complete abstinence from sexual activity for religious or personal reasons."B2
    • "The treatment program requires participants to practice complete abstinence from all mood-altering substances."C1
    • "In some cultures, young adults are encouraged to practice complete abstinence until marriage."B2

Collocations

practice abstinencecomplete abstinenceabstinence from alcoholabstinence from drugspractice complete abstinence from alcoholpractice complete abstinence from sex

Word family

abstainabstinenceabstinent