abandonment

noun

aban·​don·​ment ə-ˈban-dən-mənt How to pronounce abandonment (audio)
1
: the act of abandoning something or someone
In its family and social contexts, he argues, the abandonment of children was, if not a "good thing," at least the most feasible means of family limitation during the many centuries when other methods were largely ineffective or, in the case of Christians, prohibited.Mary Martin McLaughlin
2
: the state of being abandoned
fear of abandonment
The opulence of her life as an expat wife failed to soothe her feelings of abandonment, boredom and oppression.Bob Shacochis
sometimes used before another noun
abandonment issues

Examples of abandonment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Allies, too, might respond to a U.S. abandonment of the region in dangerous and self-defeating ways. Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2024 This isn’t the first time Apple pulled the plug on a major project—in 2014, for example, saw the abandonment of a 4K Apple smart TV. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 28 Feb. 2024 Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but the abandonment, if confirmed, will breed plenty of schadenfreude: billions spent with little to show, all the while pivoting to a different breed of Silicon Valley hype. Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2024 Linked by religious evangelism, war, corruption, suicide, abandonment, and serial murder, the cast — which includes a host of young Hollywood heavy hitters — makes the most of the story's melodrama and dark subject matter. EW.com, 18 Jan. 2024 Working through childhood and adult abandonment fears has brought a childlike joy, reminiscent of what Jesus [Christ] spoke about to enter the kingdom of heaven. Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2024 Natalia Grace GoFundMe Charges against the Barnetts, including abandonment, were ultimately dismissed or resolved. USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2024 Leading up to their reconciliation, the Tidal founder was able to come to terms with his father’s abandonment by understanding the problems AJ had faced throughout his life. Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024 The fear of abandonment can cause love addicts to engage in controlling or manipulative behaviors, further straining the relationship. Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abandonment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of abandonment was in 1593

Dictionary Entries Near abandonment

Cite this Entry

“Abandonment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abandonment. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

abandonment

noun
aban·​don·​ment
1
: the act of abandoning property or a right: as
a
: relinquishment by an inventor of the right to enforce a patent see also dedication
b
: an author's relinquishment to the public domain of his or her copyrighted work
c
: relinquishment of a trademark established by a failure to use the trademark and an intention never to resume use
d
: the act of an insured in surrendering all rights to damaged or lost property to an insurer as a total loss compare salvage sense 2b
e
: relinquishment by a trustee in bankruptcy of interest in property in the bankruptcy estate often for a nominal sum
2
: the act of abandoning a person: as
a
: failure to have contact with a spouse that is intended to create a permanent separation
b
: failure to communicate with or provide financial support for one's child over a period of time that shows a purpose to forgo parental duties and rights
3
: the act of abandoning a contract
4
a
: the act of abandoning a course of action (as a crime)
b
: the affirmative defense (as recognized under the Model Penal Code) of voluntary withdrawal from the commission of a crime resulting from the actor's change of heart and not from intervening circumstances

More from Merriam-Webster on abandonment

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