1
as in to indulge
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 to leave
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 to cancel
to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to)
the bad weather forced NASA to abandon the launch
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4
as in to discontinue
to stop doing (something) permanently
marriage customs that were abandoned decades ago
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in abandonment
carefree freedom from constraint
added spices to the stew with complete abandon
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abandon
Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2025
Institutions of higher learning can abandon their centuries-long educational project.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2025
Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2025
But in 2022, there was a respite in retail bankruptcy filings as shoppers, flush with government stimulus money and a pile of savings, spent with abandon, helping to lift all types of retailers.
—Jonathan Limehouse, The Enquirer, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abandon
Verb
Detectives located DeSort's SUV abandoned on an ATV trail near Lauren Lane, the release states, and investigators have additional evidence that ties him to the vehicle and other items found near his residence.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2025
Institutions of higher learning can abandon their centuries-long educational project.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
Numan’s early work reminds entrepreneurs that embracing what sets you apart with abandon can be your most powerful asset.
—Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2025
But in 2022, there was a respite in retail bankruptcy filings as shoppers, flush with government stimulus money and a pile of savings, spent with abandon, helping to lift all types of retailers.
—Jonathan Limehouse, The Enquirer, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abandon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abandon
Verb
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Yes, perhaps firms run by alums will be willing to indulge a few interested faculty from their alma mater.—
Shivaram Rajgopal,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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At one point Wednesday, the judge indulged their request to meet with Adelson and the attorneys at a side bar out of the public’s earshot.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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He was charged with felony counts of leaving the scene of crash involving death, driving without a license causing death and resisting arrest, the sheriff’s office said.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
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Investigators said that parties involved in the argument were leaving the indoor amusement park when Reed assaulted an employee, unprovoked, while making his way outside.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the last few years, Beyoncé, Pink, and Noah Kahan, among others, have had concerts canceled or delayed by extreme lightning, rain, or wildfire smoke.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
6 Sep. 2025
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On social media, Marquette announced that all athletic events for the weekend would be canceled, and a special mass for the school community was held on Saturday afternoon.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Those that are eligible typically involve medical judgment, surprise medical bills, or an insurer deciding to retroactively cancel or discontinue coverage or determining that a treatment was experimental.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
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In May, for instance, the Department of Education discontinued Biden-era grants worth $1 billion aimed at improving mental health services in schools, saying the programs were not advancing administration priorities.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While Beijing hasn’t gone as far as Moscow, its quiet abandonment of the denuclearization goal marks a subtle yet consequential shift – one that could open the door to closer China-North Korea ties, or even bolster momentum for trilateral cooperation with Russia, Zhao said.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
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People can handle uncertainty, but not abandonment.—
Daisy Auger-Domínguez,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But on a day when Mizzou amassed 595 total yards, converted 4 of 5 fourth downs and got an excellent effort from first-year starting quarterback Beau Pribula, surrendering possession had to fill Kansas followers with a sense of dread.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
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After allowing 18 chunk plays against Appalachian State, Charlotte surrendered just eight on Saturday night.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The difference is the wisdom to recognize that giving away public-trust land and diminishing our quality of life forsakes the permanent greater good for the temporary benefit of a few developers and residents.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
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Real estate may be the basis of all wealth, but a growing number of millionaires are forsaking homeownership and renting their residences instead.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But then Belly scraps her Parisian plans and pledges her young life to Jeremiah, a rising super senior at Finch majoring in getting high and going to Cabo (which, quite honestly, is more age-appropriate than a wedding).—
Vogue,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
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Watertown, though, kept scrapping enough together inside the circle to prevent a game-tying goal, while speedy senior captain Sophia Setouhi and Master led a couple promising charges into offensive territory.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abandon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abandon. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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