1
as in indulging
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
2
as in leaving
to cause to remain behind
abandoned the group that he had been hiking with and struck out on his own
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in canceling
to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to)
the bad weather forced NASA to abandon the launch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in discontinuing
to stop doing (something) permanently
marriage customs that were abandoned decades ago
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abandoning
Californians are abandoning the Golden State, chiefly because of high housing costs and finding better luck at becoming homeowners elsewhere, a new study found.
—
Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The Safari shut down in 1978 after passengers kept abandoning their Jeeps mid-trip.
—Abbey Briscoe, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Not because doctors are abandoning difficult cases, but because not every medical provider has the time (especially those working in urgent care or the emergency room) or collaborative infrastructure needed to solve them.
—Alexandra Sifferlin, STAT, 31 Mar. 2026
But by blocking the most popular and accessible tools, the company is abandoning its founding ethos and risks pushing the next generation of builders away from the iPhone.
—Deirdre Bosa,jasmine Wu, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
And Hammond is roughly the same distance from downtown Chicago as Arlington Heights; whichever direction the team moves, leaving windswept Soldier Field for the artificial environment of a dome means abandoning some of the proud misery that defines Bears football.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Malaysia is also considering nuclear energy to power its growing data center industry without abandoning its net-zero commitments.
—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
The government isn’t abandoning free food.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026
Broward Corrections The suspect, later identified by BSO as Eric Senat, 34, drove a small distance before crashing into a fence, abandoning his car, and fleeing on foot before deputies took him into custody.
—Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The Safari shut down in 1978 after passengers kept abandoning their Jeeps mid-trip.
—Abbey Briscoe, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Not because doctors are abandoning difficult cases, but because not every medical provider has the time (especially those working in urgent care or the emergency room) or collaborative infrastructure needed to solve them.
—Alexandra Sifferlin, STAT, 31 Mar. 2026
But by blocking the most popular and accessible tools, the company is abandoning its founding ethos and risks pushing the next generation of builders away from the iPhone.
—Deirdre Bosa,jasmine Wu, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
And Hammond is roughly the same distance from downtown Chicago as Arlington Heights; whichever direction the team moves, leaving windswept Soldier Field for the artificial environment of a dome means abandoning some of the proud misery that defines Bears football.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Malaysia is also considering nuclear energy to power its growing data center industry without abandoning its net-zero commitments.
—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
The government isn’t abandoning free food.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026
Broward Corrections The suspect, later identified by BSO as Eric Senat, 34, drove a small distance before crashing into a fence, abandoning his car, and fleeing on foot before deputies took him into custody.
—Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abandoning
Verb
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The elder Junod gave off mixed messages, abusing his long-suffering wife while indulging his gifted son.—
Hamilton Cain,
Time,
3 Mar. 2026
-
There’s a conversation for Nebraska worth indulging this spring.—
Mitch Sherman,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Cotter received a two-minute penalty for goaltender interference, and Shesterkin and Markström were given two-minute penalties for leaving the crease and five minutes for fighting.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Lee Ginsberg is leaving film and television public relations firm Ginsberg / Libby to become an independent awards consultant.—
Marc Malkin,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Indigo is one of a handful of airlines that are rerouting and canceling flights to avoid Pakistan’s airspace.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2026
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Soundcore Earbuds Deal The Soundcore P31i earbuds pack flagship technology into a pocket-sized design, featuring adaptive noise cancelling that can silence up to 52dB of external roar.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sony Honda Mobility is discontinuing the development and launch of the Afeela 1, a roughly $100,000 electric sedan stuffed with screens, speakers and AI.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Volvo is discontinuing its EX30 electric subcompact SUV in America.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Tyler Unter threw five scoreless innings before surrendering a pair of runs in the sixth for Santa Margarita.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Murakami’s two walks came against Jacob Misiorowski, who struck out 11 while surrendering one run — a leadoff home run by Chase Meidroth — on two hits in five innings.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But that doesn’t mean forsaking the forecast and the threat of more dipping temperatures to come.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
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The Padres dressed like the Brewers and Mariners, forsaking the brown-and-gold merchandise boom to come.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Democrats should commit to scrapping these taxes, which not only raise consumer prices but also slow growth, stifle competition and invite retaliation.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Thune has repeatedly ruled out scrapping the filibuster rules, which set a 60-vote threshold to advance most legislation.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Was quitting school for TV a tough sell for Alcock’s mother?—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
31 Mar. 2026
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However, the fallout from this event is likely not in the rearview mirror yet due to more than 500 TSA officers quitting during the shutdown, according to DHS.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abandoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abandoning. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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