asceticism
uh-SET-uh-siz-um
/əˈsetɪsɪzəm/
Severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious, moral, or philosophical reasons.
Goes beyond simple temperance (moderation) into active, deliberate self-denial and rigorous mental or physical training.
The story behind the word. In ancient Greece, 'askēsis' referred to the rigorous physical training undertaken by athletes preparing for the Olympic Games. Early Christian and Cynic philosophers adopted the term to describe training the soul, treating moral self-control as rigorous spiritual athletics.
Word relationships
- austerity: Austerity can refer to economic hardship or plainness, whereas asceticism is purposeful self-denial for spiritual or moral refinement.
- self-denial: Self-denial is the act of refusing oneself pleasures; asceticism is the systematic lifestyle built around that practice.
- hedonism: Hedonism is the pursuit of pleasure as the primary goal in life, the direct opposite of deliberate self-denial.
- indulgence: Indulgence means gratifying desires without restraint.
Commonly confused with
- aestheticism: Aestheticism is devotion to beauty and art; asceticism is rigorous self-denial and austere discipline.
Word family
- ascetic (adjective): Characterized by severe self-discipline and abstinence.
- ascetic (noun): A person who practices severe self-discipline.
Collocations
- rigorous asceticism
- practice asceticism
- monastic asceticism
- philosophical asceticism
Idioms & expressions
- monk-like existence
- bare-bones living
Example sentences
- "The desert monks practiced extreme asceticism, fasting for days and sleeping on stone floors." Monastic history text
- "His rigorous asceticism was not born of misery, but of a desire to keep his mind unburdened by material cares." Philosophical biography
Memory hook
Remember 'ASCETIC' sounds like 'ATHLETIC'—an athletic workout routine for your soul, stripping away unnecessary weight. Spiritual athletics through self-denial.
When not to use
Do not use to describe simple frugality or saving money; asceticism involves intentional, disciplined self-mortification or rigorous austerity.
Fun facts
- Diogenes the Cynic lived in a large ceramic storage jar (pithos) in the Athenian marketplace as a demonstration of radical philosophical asceticism.
Related words
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