abnegation

noun

ab·​ne·​ga·​tion ˌab-ni-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce abnegation (audio)
formal
: denial
especially : self-denial
Monks practice abnegation of the material aspects of human life.

Examples of abnegation in a Sentence

the couple's sudden abnegation of life in the fast lane for work as missionaries stunned everyone
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The explicit and quasi-religious abnegation of the right to violent self-defense put the national committee at odds with one of its key allies during the Saturday march: Black Lives Matter. Samantha Eyler, Foreign Affairs, 31 Jan. 2017 Is that an abnegation of interviewer responsibility? David Marchese David Marchese Photograph By Mamadi Doumbouya, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2023 In the latter’s rewrite of the Lancelot fable, the abducted Guinevere was elevated to a glamorous ice queen commanding knightly self-abnegation. Tina Brown, New York Times, 15 Dec. 2022 The life that Alharthi describes is one of almost saintly self-abnegation. Ron Charles, Washington Post, 24 May 2022 See all Example Sentences for abnegation 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abnegacioun, borrowed from Late Latin abnegātiōn-, abnegātiō, from Latin abnegāre "to refute, decline, deny" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at abnegate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of abnegation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near abnegation

Cite this Entry

“Abnegation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abnegation. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

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