Intemperance is a noun that usually means excessivemore than is normal, needed, or acceptable or uncontrollednot managed or limited; allowed to happen freely behavior, especially in speech, emotions, or indulgencegiving in to desires or pleasures without restraint. It can also refer to drinking alcohol, though that sense is less common.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /in-TEM-puh-runs/
Easy pronunciation: in-TEM-puh-runs (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the second syllable: TEM.
Noun meaning uncontrolled excess or lack of restraint, not alcohol consumption specifically.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Intemperance Meaning
uncontrolled excess; lack of restraint
Part of speech: noun
Definition: excess in action and immoderate indulgence of bodily appetites, especially in passion or indulgence
Example: The speaker’s intemperance made the debate more heated.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- self-indulgence — A close match when the meaning is excessive indulgence or lack of restraint.
- intemperateness — A direct synonym, though less common in everyday use.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Intemperance
Meaning 2
drinking alcohol
Part of speech: noun
Definition: consumption of alcoholic drinks
Example: The report mentioned his intemperance as a serious concern.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- intemperateness — Listed as a synonym in the source data, but this sense is less common and can sound old-fashioned.
Meaning 3
the state of lacking restraint or moderation
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the quality of being intemperate
Example: His intemperance was obvious in the way he spoke to everyone.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Intemperance Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- self-indulgence
- intemperateness
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse intemperance with temperance, which means moderation or self-control.
- In modern usage, intemperance usually refers to excessive behavior, not just alcohol use.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does intemperance mean?
Intemperance means excessive or uncontrolled behavior, especially when someone lacks moderation or self-restraint.
What are the synonyms of intemperance?
Strong synonyms for the main sense include self-indulgence and intemperateness.
Is intemperance the same as temperance?
No. Temperance means moderation and self-control, while intemperance means the opposite.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.