Synonyms of abandon

abandon 1 of 2

verb

ə-ˈban-dən 

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

• indulge
• surrender
• yield
• give up
• deliver
• overdo
• revel
• bask
• overindulge
• wallow
• roll
• luxuriate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deny
• refrain (from)
• forgo
• restrain
• check
• eschew
• inhibit
• abstain (from)
• forbear

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

• leave
• forsake
• strand
• desert
• dump
• quit
• discard
• ditch
• relinquish
• walk away from
• escape
• fling
• shed
• jettison
• ignore
• maroon
• scrap
• renounce
• walk out on
• reject
• vacate
• throw away
• withdraw (from)
• surrender
• forget
• sacrifice
• separate (from)
• repudiate
• cut off
• retreat (from)
• throw out
• take off (from)
• give up
• disregard
• abjure
• disown
• yield
• deliver
• junk
• neglect
• hand over
• shuck (off)
• distance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• have
• keep
• retain
• possess
• hold
• own
• withhold
• reclaim
• reserve
• save
• redeem
• harbor
• rescue

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cancel
• scrap
• revoke
• abort
• repeal
• rescind
• withdraw
• recall
• terminate
• call off
• suspend
• scrub
• drop
• call
• halt
• reverse
• discontinue
• cry off
• invalidate
• abrogate
• stop
• retract
• end
• nullify
• interrupt
• annul
• recant
• relinquish
• void
• take back
• write off
• roll back
• surrender
• countermand
• break off
• hold back
• give up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continue
• keep
• engage
• begin
• start
• initiate
• undertake
• promise
• pledge
• take up
• commence
• take on

4

as in to discontinue

to stop doing (something) permanently

marriage customs that were abandoned decades ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

• discontinue
• quit
• drop
• end
• cease
• finish
• have done (with)
• conclude
• give up
• pack (up or in)
• lay off (of)
• halt
• close
• hang it up
• knock off
• expire
• shut off
• terminate
• pause
• break off
• break up
• leave off
• throw up
• taper off
• wind up
• round (off or out)
• wrap up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continue
• maintain
• keep
• go
• keep up
• carry on
• persist
• run on
• renew
• hold on
• preserve
• begin
• stay
• start
• reopen
• persevere
• resume
• hang on
• commence
• hang in
• restart
• follow through (with)

abandon

2 of 2

noun

as in abandonment

carefree freedom from constraint

added spices to the stew with complete abandon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abandonment
• naturalness
• zeal
• enthusiasm
• spontaneity
• unrestraint
• ease
• warmth
• spirit
• unconstraint
• lightheartedness
• spontaneousness
• uninhibitedness
• fervor
• exuberance
• carelessness
• recklessness
• zealousness
• zealotry
• impulsiveness
• insouciance
• indiscretion
• impulsivity
• ardor
• excess
• heedlessness
• free hand
• thoughtlessness
• wildness
• casualness
• excessiveness
• carte blanche
• indulgence
• licentiousness
• incontinence
• wantonness
• offhandedness
• blank check
• intemperance
• permissiveness
• immoderacy
• unself-consciousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• restraint
• constraint
• reserve
• reticence
• embarrassment
• suppression
• uneasiness
• inhibition
• discretion
• repression
• discipline
• carefulness
• self-consciousness
• willpower
• self-restraint
• self-control
• discreetness
• self-discipline
• heedfulness
• self-denial
• self-command
• self-mastery

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

Recent Examples of abandon

Verb

The baby monkey was abandoned by his mother at birth, the zoo's website says, and was raised by zoo staff. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026

Voluntarily abandon it at the checkpoint. —Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026

Noun

Catherine has pale blond hair, a love for the color red, and a habit of sprinting across the moors with wild abandon. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026

The new Wade is an endlessly wisecracking chatterbox, shattering the fourth wall with gleeful abandon. —Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Feb. 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!