intemperateness 🔊
Meaning of intemperateness
The quality of lacking self-control, especially in indulgence of appetites or passions; excessiveness.
Key Difference
While 'intemperateness' specifically implies a lack of restraint in desires or behaviors, its synonyms may vary in intensity or context, such as focusing on overindulgence, immoderation, or even moral looseness.
Example of intemperateness
- His intemperateness in drinking led to severe health problems and strained relationships.
- The intemperateness of the ruler’s lavish spending bankrupted the kingdom.
Synonyms
excess 🔊
Meaning of excess
An amount of something that is more than necessary, permitted, or desirable.
Key Difference
'Excess' is a broader term referring to any overabundance, while 'intemperateness' specifically relates to lack of self-control.
Example of excess
- The excess of sugar in modern diets contributes to widespread health issues.
- Her excess in shopping left her with little savings.
immoderation 🔊
Meaning of immoderation
Lack of restraint; overindulgence.
Key Difference
'Immoderation' is very close in meaning but less severe, while 'intemperateness' often implies moral or behavioral failing.
Example of immoderation
- His immoderation in eating led to weight gain, but he managed to control it before serious health risks arose.
- The immoderation of social media usage affects productivity.
dissipation 🔊
Meaning of dissipation
Overindulgence in sensual pleasures; wasteful expenditure.
Key Difference
'Dissipation' often implies moral decay or wasteful living, whereas 'intemperateness' is more about lack of restraint.
Example of dissipation
- The young heir’s dissipation of his fortune on parties shocked his family.
- Dissipation of energy on trivial matters left him exhausted.
profligacy 🔊
Meaning of profligacy
Reckless extravagance or wastefulness.
Key Difference
'Profligacy' emphasizes financial or moral wastefulness, while 'intemperateness' is broader in scope.
Example of profligacy
- The profligacy of corporate bonuses during an economic crisis angered the public.
- His profligacy with resources left the project underfunded.
indulgence 🔊
Meaning of indulgence
Allowing oneself to enjoy pleasures without restraint.
Key Difference
'Indulgence' can be neutral or even positive, while 'intemperateness' is always negative.
Example of indulgence
- A little indulgence in dessert is fine, but daily excess harms health.
- Her indulgence in luxury brands strained her finances.
debauchery 🔊
Meaning of debauchery
Excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures, often immoral.
Key Difference
'Debauchery' is more extreme, often involving moral corruption, unlike 'intemperateness' which is more general.
Example of debauchery
- The rumors of debauchery in the noble’s court scandalized the public.
- Historical texts describe the debauchery of ancient Roman feasts.
overindulgence 🔊
Meaning of overindulgence
Excessive gratification of desires.
Key Difference
'Overindulgence' is milder and more about quantity, while 'intemperateness' implies a deeper lack of control.
Example of overindulgence
- Overindulgence in screen time affects children’s attention spans.
- His overindulgence in fast food led to health warnings from his doctor.
intemperance 🔊
Meaning of intemperance
Lack of moderation, especially in drinking alcohol.
Key Difference
'Intemperance' is nearly identical but often linked specifically to alcohol, whereas 'intemperateness' is broader.
Example of intemperance
- His intemperance at parties earned him a reputation for unreliability.
- The temperance movement fought against intemperance in the 19th century.
gluttony 🔊
Meaning of gluttony
Habitual greed or excess in eating.
Key Difference
'Gluttony' is specifically about food, while 'intemperateness' covers all forms of excess.
Example of gluttony
- Medieval texts often depicted gluttony as one of the seven deadly sins.
- His gluttony at the buffet left him feeling ill afterward.
Conclusion
- Intemperateness describes a severe lack of self-control, often leading to negative consequences.
- Excess can be used in general contexts where overabundance is the focus, not necessarily moral failing.
- Immoderation is a softer term, suitable for less severe cases of overindulgence.
- Dissipation is best when referring to wasteful or morally questionable behavior.
- Profligacy should be used for financial or resource wastefulness.
- Indulgence works when referring to permissible or minor excesses.
- Debauchery is fitting for extreme, morally corrupt indulgence.
- Overindulgence is ideal for describing habitual but not necessarily destructive excess.
- Intemperance is nearly interchangeable but often linked to alcohol.
- Gluttony is specific to overeating and should be used only in that context.