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

Dhillon has drawn fierce criticism from former Justice Department attorneys who have accused her of abandoning the division's traditional civil rights enforcement mission in favor of conservative causes. — Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2026

The production wind-down does not necessarily mean Tesla is abandoning the pickup altogether. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026

Desmond’s Army Animal Law Advocates group is currently offering a $6,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the individual or individuals responsible for shooting and abandoning the dog. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 6 Nov. 2026

Downtown has struggled since the end of the pandemic, with many workers not returning to its plethora of office space and a significant number of business abandoning the neighborhood, jeopardizing what was once a robust community. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Yet becoming independent rarely means abandoning the parent company’s entire incentive framework. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026

Most of the royal family is not willing to be seen with him in public, so Fergie isn’t the only one allegedly abandoning him. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 25 Oct. 2026

The protestors accuse Kumar of abandoning his constitutional obligation to act impartially. — Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026

Schottenheimer has faced questions throughout the week around the offense handling pressure, abandoning the run early in games, not finding explosive plays and more. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026