Meaning & use

incontinent

adjective·Academic

Unable to control the release of urine or feces, typically due to illness, injury, or aging.

See it in a sentence

After the surgery, the elderly patient was temporarily incontinent and needed extra care.

The vet explained that the older dog had become incontinent overnight.

A note on using this word

In older or literary usage, "incontinent" can also mean lacking self-restraint generally, especially regarding desires or emotions.

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

Another way to use it

2. adjective

Lacking self-restraint, especially regarding desires or emotions.

The novel's incontinent hero could never resist a reckless impulse.

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