ABANDON Synonyms: 217 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'abandon' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of abandon are relinquish , resign , surrender , waive , and yield . While all these words mean "to give up completely," abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up. // abandoned all hope

Q: When might 'relinquish' be a better fit than 'abandon'?

While in some cases nearly identical to abandon , relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness. // relinquished her crown

Q: When can 'resign' be used instead of 'abandon'?

The words resign and abandon can be used in similar contexts, but resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle. // resigned her position

Q: When is it sensible to use 'surrender' instead of 'abandon'?

The words surrender and abandon are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist. // surrendered their claims

Q: Where would 'waive' be a reasonable alternative to 'abandon'?

The meanings of waive and abandon largely overlap; however, waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion. // waived the right to a trial by jury

Q: In what contexts can 'yield' take the place of 'abandon'?

In some situations, the words yield and abandon are roughly equivalent. However, yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force. // the troops yielded ground grudgingly

abandon 1 of 2

verb

ə-ˈban-dən

Definition of abandon next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to leave

to cause to remain behind abandoned the group that he had been hiking with and struck out on his own

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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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as in to discontinue

to stop doing (something) permanently marriage customs that were abandoned decades ago

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abandon

2 of 2

noun

as in abandonment

carefree freedom from constraint added spices to the stew with complete abandon

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word abandon different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of abandon are relinquish, resign, surrender, waive, and yield. While all these words mean "to give up completely," abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up.

abandoned all hope

When might relinquish be a better fit than abandon?

While in some cases nearly identical to abandon, relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness.

relinquished her crown

When can resign be used instead of abandon?

The words resign and abandon can be used in similar contexts, but resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle.

resigned her position

When is it sensible to use surrender instead of abandon?

The words surrender and abandon are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist.

surrendered their claims

Where would waive be a reasonable alternative to abandon?

The meanings of waive and abandon largely overlap; however, waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion.

waived the right to a trial by jury

In what contexts can yield take the place of abandon?

In some situations, the words yield and abandon are roughly equivalent. However, yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force.

the troops yielded ground grudgingly

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 abandon

Verb

Colorado law previously would've required the town to wait five years before it could be abandoned and Prowers County could step in to provide services. —

Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 28 May 2026 Rising debt isn’t a reason to abandon long-term investing, Kelly argued. —

Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 May 2026

Noun

Hüller was overwhelmed by the praise at the Palais, her trademark stoicism breaking as the crowd saluted her moments of emotional abandon — including a tearjerker of a long-distance phone call and an explosion of rage at her narcissistic patriarch. —

Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 14 May 2026 Soto’s Marie pouts and squeals with abandon. —

Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for abandon

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abandon

Verb

Ollinger was known to indulge fans with tales of unusual encounters with possible paranormal connection.

— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 3 June 2026
The sun’s ingress into Cancer later this month, for instance, brings focus to themes of travel, education and long-term visions, making this a pivotal month to explore (and indulge) what gives your life purpose and meaning.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026