Synonyms of abandoning

abandoning

verb

present participle of abandon

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

• indulging
• surrendering
• yielding
• delivering
• giving up
• overdoing
• reveling
• basking
• overindulging
• wallowing
• rolling
• luxuriating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• denying
• eschewing
• forgoing
• refraining (from)
• abstaining (from)
• checking
• restraining
• inhibiting
• forbearing

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

• leaving
• forsaking
• deserting
• dumping
• stranding
• quitting
• ditching
• discarding
• marooning
• relinquishing
• walking away from
• flinging
• shedding
• escaping
• scrapping
• jettisoning
• renouncing
• ignoring
• sacrificing
• rejecting
• vacating
• walking out on
• surrendering
• repudiating
• junking
• forgetting
• throwing away
• withdrawing (from)
• retreating (from)
• neglecting
• disregarding
• separating (from)
• yielding
• disowning
• taking off (from)
• throwing out
• delivering
• cutting off
• abjuring
• distancing
• giving up
• shucking (off)
• handing over

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• having
• retaining
• keeping
• owning
• holding
• possessing
• reclaiming
• reserving
• withholding
• saving
• harboring
• rescuing
• redeeming

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

• canceling
• scrapping
• revoking
• aborting
• repealing
• rescinding
• recalling
• withdrawing
• scrubbing
• dropping
• terminating
• reversing
• suspending
• calling
• halting
• calling off
• ending
• invalidating
• abrogating
• interrupting
• retracting
• nullifying
• discontinuing
• annulling
• stopping
• voiding
• crying off
• relinquishing
• writing off
• taking back
• recanting
• surrendering
• rolling back
• breaking off
• countermanding
• holding back
• giving up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continuing
• keeping
• engaging
• beginning
• starting
• promising
• initiating
• commencing
• pledging
• undertaking
• taking up
• taking on

4

as in discontinuing

to stop doing (something) permanently

marriage customs that were abandoned decades ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

• discontinuing
• quitting
• dropping
• ending
• finishing
• ceasing
• concluding
• having done (with)
• packing (up or in)
• giving up
• laying off (of)
• halting
• closing
• pausing
• hanging it up
• knocking off
• expiring
• terminating
• shutting off
• breaking off
• tapering off
• breaking up
• leaving off
• throwing up
• wrapping up
• winding up
• rounding (off or out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• maintaining
• continuing
• keeping
• going
• carrying on
• keeping up
• persisting
• running on
• hanging on
• preserving
• holding on
• renewing
• hanging in
• staying
• resuming
• reopening
• starting
• persevering
• beginning
• commencing
• restarting
• following through (with)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of abandoning

For Chan, success depends on convincing voters that the city’s challenges do not require abandoning the progressive politics that have long identified it. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026

Robinson is right that the culture has professionalized without abandoning its roots. — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Your routine could feel unbearably repetitive, sparking fantasies of abandoning the whole thing. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026

The advice about not following your kids is often about not abandoning your life and support systems and assuming your kids will fill in the gaps. — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 31 July 2026

Even the album cover is part of her statement, wearing her hair down and loose — Ariana abandoning her ponytail is as iconic as George Michael setting fire to his leather jacket. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026

Young life scientists have been increasingly abandoning academia, a seismic shift that has fueled calls for rethinking graduate education. — Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 29 July 2026

If someone expects too much, don’t soothe the tension by abandoning your limit. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026

Civil disagreement doesn’t mean abandoning strong beliefs or backing down from a debate, but informed and respectful conviction. — Frederick J. Ryan, Fortune, 25 July 2026