Ascetic

A person who practices severe self-denial or abstains from worldly pleasures, often for religious or spiritual reasons.

noun

Ascetic

A person who practices severe self-denial or abstains from worldly pleasures, often for religious or spiritual reasons.

noun

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Imagine This

There is a cult, which has believers practice self-denial. The believers have to swim across an acidic lake to demonstrate their faith in order to become members.

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Sounds Like

uh-SET-ik

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Looks Like

ascetic (lowercase) — same spelling; capitalized Ascetic is the noun form

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Remember This

Ascetic (adjective); Asceticism (noun); Ascetically (adverb)

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Other Forms

asceticismnoun

asceticaladjective

asceticallyadverb

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Connect With

monasticism, austerity, abstinence, self-discipline, stoicism

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Note

In modern usage, ascetic describes a lifestyle of austere self-denial. It is not necessarily religious, but it is often associated with religious figures like monks. Be careful not to confuse with abstinent or austere in everyday usage; 'ascetic' implies a deliberate renunciation of comfort.