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

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

But Akinola says that other patients aren't as fortunate, with friends and loved ones abandoning them. — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 25 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

Crypto and fintech brands are abandoning costly influencer marketing due to diminishing returns, exemplified by a $30,000 payment yielding only one sign-up. — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Its true intention is to mitigate the damage wrought by paternal absence and the larger phenomenon of men abandoning one another. — Literary Hub, 23 July 2026

The plaintiff, a group called Men for Others, claims the Carmichael school is abandoning its all-boys mission and announced the decision with little community involvement. — Chaewon Chung july 22, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026

Three years after buying Bellus Health and its chronic cough candidate camlipixant for around $2 billion, GSK is abandoning the program, Pharmaphorum points out. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 17 July 2026

Modern without abandoning traditional design cues, the dress was crafted with long sleeves, a sharp collar and a slightly open neckline. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 16 July 2026