abandon 1 of 2

1
as in to indulge
to give (oneself) over to something especially unrestrainedly more than ready to abandon himself to a life of complete idleness for the duration of his vacation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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abandon

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word abandon different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of abandon are relinquish, resign, surrender, waive, and yield. While all these words mean "to give up completely," abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up.

abandoned all hope

When might relinquish be a better fit than abandon?

While in some cases nearly identical to abandon, relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness.

relinquished her crown

When can resign be used instead of abandon?

The words resign and abandon can be used in similar contexts, but resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle.

resigned her position

When is it sensible to use surrender instead of abandon?

The words surrender and abandon are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist.

surrendered their claims

Where would waive be a reasonable alternative to abandon?

The meanings of waive and abandon largely overlap; however, waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion.

waived the right to a trial by jury

In what contexts can yield take the place of abandon?

In some situations, the words yield and abandon are roughly equivalent. However, yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force.

the troops yielded ground grudgingly

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abandon
Verb
Teams will have to contend with the fact that Kepler has posted a below-average OPS in three of the past four seasons, and his once-strong plate discipline has abandoned him. Tim Britton, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025 Sang is one of the thousands of unwanted and marginalized children abandoned by American soldiers after the Vietnam War. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
Noun
That sense of giddy creative abandon was palpable throughout. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Dec. 2024 Express yourself with wild abandon while the sun opposes Uranus. USA TODAY, 16 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for abandon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abandon
Verb
  • In a 2018 interview with Stereogum, after announcing their disbandment, Minus the Bear elaborated on their decision to call it quits at the time, citing an uptick in life events, spending time with their families, facing differing creative attitudes, and indulging the possibility of new paths.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 4 Mar. 2025
  • As Jaclyn tries to encourage (mock?) divorcee Laurie into having a fling at the resort with one of the staff members, Laurie is visibly torn between indulging her own desires and proving her friends’ pity to be misplaced.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In another case, a pregnant spouse of a USAID worker was left hemorrhaging in a foreign hospital bed to await delivery, her husband said in another affidavit.
    Ellen Knickmeyer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2025
  • The Jayhawks played one of their most dominant games of the season, with the walk-ons entering with around three minutes left.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The largest item on its latest list is a $1.9 billion cut at the Treasury Department—except this contract was actually canceled last fall, under the Biden administration, before DOGE even existed, The Times reported.
    Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Nebraska coach Matt Rhule’s concerns about players being poached and Texas’ and USC’s decisions recently to cancel their spring games for different reasons have sparked discussion about the value of spring games and what role spring practice still has.
    Sam Khan Jr., The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Since then, more than a dozen, mostly smaller Florida municipalities, including Winter Haven, Tavares, Longwood and Leesburg, have voted to discontinue adding fluoride to their water.
    Cindy Krischer Goodman, Orlando Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Davis lost, but when write-in nominee Hal Mohr won for his cinematography in A Midsummer Night's Dream the following year, the practice was discontinued forever.
    Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • From a geostrategic perspective, Trump’s abandonment of the FCPA is a disastrous decision.
    Richard Nephew, Foreign Affairs, 24 Feb. 2025
  • This second abandonment compounds the damage to U.S. credibility and standing caused by the first.
    Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • There are any number of reasons why people choose to surrender a pet to their local shelter or rescue.
    Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
  • In some instances, looters have surrendered items and bones unearthed from graves, according to Jim Watson, associate director at the Arizona State Museum.
    Mary Hudetz, ProPublica, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • But that doesn’t mean forsaking the forecast and the threat of more dipping temperatures to come.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2025
  • After he was traded to the team in 2005, the Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson forsook his own Mississippi Mudflap, becoming business-in-the-front-business-in-the-back, which might as well be the Yankees’ motto.
    Steve Rushin, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • That's why Russell thinks the tariffs are likely to be reduced, postponed or scrapped.
    Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Congressional leaders could soon scrap weeks of budget talks in favor of a simple funding extension as Republicans weigh the best strategy to avert a government shutdown.
    David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abandon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abandon. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

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