Definition

1. Noun:
   • Lack of moderation or restraint, especially in satisfying one's appetites or desires: The quality or state of being intemperate, characterized by excess.
   • Excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks: Specifically, the habitual overindulgence in alcohol.

Usage and Examples

• General lack of moderation:
  • The intemperance of his spending habits led to financial ruin.
  • The debate was marred by the intemperance of the candidates' remarks.
• Excessive drinking:
  • His life was shortened by a lifetime of intemperance.
  • The sermon warned against the dangers of intemperance.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Intemperance" often carries a formal or moralistic tone, implying a criticism of the lack of self-control.
• It can describe excess in areas beyond drinking, such as speech, emotion, or behavior.
  • The critic was known for the intemperance of his reviews, which were often harsh and unforgiving.

Variants and Related Words

• Intemperate (adjective): Showing a lack of moderation or control.
  • He was criticized for his intemperate language.
• Temperance (noun): The opposite quality; moderation or self-restraint, especially in drinking alcohol.

Synonyms

• Excess
• Overindulgence
• Immoderation
• Dissipation (especially regarding drinking)

Antonyms

• Temperance
• Moderation
• Restraint
• Abstinence (specifically regarding alcohol)

Idiomatic Expressions

• While "intemperance" itself is not commonly used in idioms, the concept is central to phrases like:
  • "Give in to intemperance": To succumb to excessive behavior.

    • After the loss, he gave in to intemperance and drank heavily.

Noun

1. excess in action and immoderate indulgence of bodily appetites, especially in passion or indulgence
   • the intemperance of their language
2. consumption of alcoholic drinks
3. the quality of being intemperate