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
According to the tabloid, law enforcement is in search of video footage that can identify the last driver of the sports car, which was abandoned in the Hollywood Hills before being towed, leading to the gruesome discovery. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 18 Sep. 2025 The occupants abandoned the vehicle, fled on foot and arranged to be picked up by a friend who was riding a motorcycle. Jillian Frankel, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
In that environment, bad habits beckon; habits that encourage Maye to play with abandon because why shouldn’t a quarterback asked to carry his team, throw and run and score touchdowns, try to do everything all by himself? Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Aug. 2025 The drops levitate, sliding around the pan with wild abandon. Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abandon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abandon
Verb
  • And what better excuse to get dressed up than to indulge and imbibe in a new dining experience?
    Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025
  • How did Chanel maintain her gamine figure while regularly indulging there?
    Leslie Camhi, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Much of central Saskatchewan received less than half an inch of rainfall in April and May, leaving many wetlands dry.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Among its 14 plant oils are argan kernel and rice bran, which regulate sebum production and loosen dead skin cells, respectively—and, together, leave your pores looking significantly smaller and your skin significantly smoother.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Mahtomedi High School officials canceled Friday night’s football game against Bloomington Kennedy, saying the Washington County Sheriff’s Office had advised them to do so due to ongoing law enforcement activity in the area.
    Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 20 Sep. 2025
  • On social media, people have posted photos of them canceling their subscriptions to streaming services Disney Plus and Hulu in support of Kimmel.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Carlson asked the state’s environmental agency about the protocol for discontinuing treatment and was told to keep the state posted.
    Anna Clark, ProPublica, 18 Sep. 2025
  • GoPro made a good effort with its Karma, but didn't attempt a follow-up to work the bugs out, and the Sony AirPeak S1 also proved to be a one-and-done release; it's now discontinued.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • They are believed to have entered the United States in the 1500s, where, over centuries, domestic stock eventually became wild due to escape and abandonment.
    Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The researchers found that individuals with higher attachment anxiety, that is people who crave closeness but fear abandonment, reported stronger parasocial relationships with their favorite TV characters.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Authorities have not yet revealed the full details of how Robinson was detained, but multiple reports suggested that his father urged him to surrender after recognizing his son in the grainy surveillance footage released by police.
    Richard Hall, Time, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Once Bailey reached home, the official completion of a walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning, Bailey surrendered himself to the moment.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The difference is the wisdom to recognize that giving away public-trust land and diminishing our quality of life forsakes the permanent greater good for the temporary benefit of a few developers and residents.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Real estate may be the basis of all wealth, but a growing number of millionaires are forsaking homeownership and renting their residences instead.
    Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The old-timey chain had recently scrapped major parts of its turnaround plan after right-wing backlash.
    Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Now, half a century later, federal regulators want to scrap the first major CRA update in more than thirty years and drag us back to the rules written in 1995.
    Lenwood V. Long, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abandon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abandon. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

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