as in refusal
the act or practice of giving up or rejecting something once enjoyed or desired
the couple's sudden abnegation of life in the fast lane for work as missionaries stunned everyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 abnegation
Not one for false abnegation of words distorted by smears, Rushdie doubles down on his right to freedom of expression, defending his dissent from religious orthodoxy.
—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Jan. 2026
That, for me, feels like an abnegation of our responsibility in theater.
—
Sarah Crompton,
Vogue,
20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abnegation
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Jan. 2026
That, for me, feels like an abnegation of our responsibility in theater.
—
Sarah Crompton,
Vogue,
20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abnegation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abnegation
Noun
-
The stat might reflect a mere delay rather than a total refusal — Bain’s research suggests most people still get licenses by age 25.
-
His refusal to do so jeopardizes public safety.
Noun
-
Rules have changed over decades, so some claims succeed while others face hurdles like formal renunciation.
-
Carney is a moralist, a filmmaker of fidelity—and of renunciation, depicting the romantic near-misses and what-ifs that his characters leave behind.
Noun
-
Their desperate hope, their cruel denial still weigh on this nation’s soul 87 years later, though most Americans only caught glimpses of the doomed passengers through news reels.
-
Iraq were the weakest in this section and, when Rebin Sulaka pulled back Sadio Mane in the 13th minute, he was dismissed for the denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
Cite this Entry
“Abnegation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abnegation. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
