abnegation

noun

ab·​ne·​ga·​tion ˌab-ni-ˈgā-shən 

formal

: denial

especially : self-denial

Monks practice abnegation of the material aspects of human life.

… Rennie Stennett, the Giants' $600,000-a-year bust of a second baseman, had, in a rush of abnegation, given away his money and was living on the beach, subsisting on abalone.

—Sports Illustrated

Synonyms of abnegation

• refusal
• renunciation
• denial
• renouncement

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

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

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

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

Phrases Containing abnegation

• self-abnegation

Rhymes for abnegation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation
• adaptation