1. practicing strict self-denial as a spiritual discipline; avoiding physical pleasures and luxuries

1. a person who practices severe self-discipline and abstains from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons

Examples

• The monk lived an ascetic lifestyle in the monastery.
• She adopted ascetic practices, eating only simple foods.
• The ascetic spent years in meditation and prayer.
• His ascetic habits included sleeping on a hard floor.
• The ancient ascetic renounced all worldly possessions.
• Many ascetics retreat to remote locations for spiritual growth.
• The ascetic diet consisted of bread and water only.