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
This could mean abandoning habits, routines or systems that no longer serve us. Susanne Biro, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 Trump has consistently called on Iran, which is the chief sponsor of Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi militants in Yemen, to abandon its nuclear program or face a reckoning. Arkansas Online, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
Is this the sound of happy abandon, or of the morning after? Mitch Therieau, The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2024 The unrestrained energy and overloaded abandon of Wolfe’s prose is inconceivable without the immediate precedent of Kerouac. Geoff Dyer, Harper's Magazine, 2 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for abandon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abandon
Verb
  • Across 10 tracks, Young wittily indulges her insecurities, rails against narcissistic exes, and embraces unrepentant vulnerability, all with gusto.
    Audra Heinrichs, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Go the practical route and indulge her with a new pan from one of our favorite brands.
    Brie Schwartz, Glamour, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The department did not say how much money is left of the total $189 billion approved.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • With few options left, Adam begins considering and concocting ways to enact vengeance, but Basem, having been down that rageful path, advises him otherwise.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The government last month canceled $400 million in funding for Columbia and threatened to withhold billions more, accusing the university in New York of not doing enough to combat antisemitism and to ensure student safety amid last year's Gaza encampment campus protests.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • For under $100, these are an incredible bargain for such high-quality noise cancelling earbuds.
    Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • While there were no deaths, two participants had to discontinue treatment.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Existing Hotshot users have until March 30 to download their content before services are discontinued.
    Charlie Fink, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The yelling is absolutely inexcusable and will indeed continue this, causing more harm and feelings of abandonment.
    David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Eliminating the growing risk of cart abandonment is crucial for businesses to reach their short and long-term goals.
    Asaf Darash, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Instead, the Brewers allowed 36 runs, surrendering 15 home runs, as the Yanks swept the three games.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • She was shot once in the shoulder, and after briefly going back into her home, ultimately surrendered and was transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
    Rachel DeSantis, People.com, 13 Apr. 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
  • In January, the company scrapped a rights issue of shares, opting to borrow 450 billion won from Ryu to reduce its debt burden, which had ballooned to 1.5 times equity.
    Gloria Haraito, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Pfizer scrapped a different once-daily obesity pill back in June 2023 after patients who took that drug had higher liver enzyme levels in a mid-stage trial.
    Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abandon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abandon. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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