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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in discontinuing
to stop doing (something) permanently
marriage customs that were abandoned decades ago
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abandoning
The move suggests a broader shift in Tehran, where a new generation of leaders is increasingly abandoning the cautious, reactive approach that long defined the Islamic Republic’s strategy towards its adversaries.
—
Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
These networks are viewed with less enthusiasm in the age of streaming, because more consumers are abandoning their cable subscriptions in favor of streaming services.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 June 2026
Yet people on all sides of the testing debate might be surprised to learn that, in most ways, abandoning standardized tests did not radically transform the UC system—either for better or for worse.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
Glimcher has argued that Pace is abandoning a model that became too large, too expensive, and too corporate.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 9 June 2026
Avoid abandoning any fire without supervision.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
Others worry about more scandals to come, and say standing behind Platner in the meantime would be abandoning its values.
—Julia Terruso, Time, 8 June 2026
The Broward Sheriff's Office said the man then drove off in Figaro's vehicle before abandoning it at a Chick-fil-A on North Federal Highway.
—Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 7 June 2026
Rather than abandoning law altogether, Gregory tried to shift her focus toward sports and entertainment law, hoping that being connected to creative industries would satisfy the part of her that longed for something different.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
These networks are viewed with less enthusiasm in the age of streaming, because more consumers are abandoning their cable subscriptions in favor of streaming services.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 June 2026
Yet people on all sides of the testing debate might be surprised to learn that, in most ways, abandoning standardized tests did not radically transform the UC system—either for better or for worse.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
Glimcher has argued that Pace is abandoning a model that became too large, too expensive, and too corporate.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 9 June 2026
Avoid abandoning any fire without supervision.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
Others worry about more scandals to come, and say standing behind Platner in the meantime would be abandoning its values.
—Julia Terruso, Time, 8 June 2026
The Broward Sheriff's Office said the man then drove off in Figaro's vehicle before abandoning it at a Chick-fil-A on North Federal Highway.
—Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 7 June 2026
Rather than abandoning law altogether, Gregory tried to shift her focus toward sports and entertainment law, hoping that being connected to creative industries would satisfy the part of her that longed for something different.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abandoning
Verb
-
Thank you for indulging me on that.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
26 May 2026
-
The decor offers a colorful contrast to the austere exterior, allowing the house to honor the neighborhood while indulging the whims of its occupants.—
Fred Albert,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
This new dating trend is leaving people baffled and heartbroken.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
Next, lift, don’t pour, the produce out of the bowl, leaving the dirt at the bottom.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Trump posted about canceling the strikes soon after the meeting, the officials said.—
Sarah Dean,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
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As 404 Media reports, Northern District of Mississippi judge Sharion Aycock berated everybody involved in a sanctions order, ultimately fining them, canceling the trial, and barring half of them from appearing in the district’s court for two years.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Personal care products like dental floss, diapers, menstrual products, moisturizer and makeup are also potential sources of PFAS exposure, though some companies are discontinuing the use of those chemicals in their products.—
Mara Hoplamazian,
NPR,
2 June 2026
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Unfortunately, last year, California decided to reverse decades of obesity treatment coverage by discontinuing Medi-Cal coverage of GLP-1s when used solely for weight management.—
Latisa S Carson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Negotiators were able to contact O'Brien via phone, eventually leading to his surrendering himself.—
Reg Chapman,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
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The 49ers did it in March, surrendering a third-round draft pick to the Dallas Cowboys, who had a surplus of starting defensive tackles after last season’s trades for Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
Verb
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If bigger and better opportunities come along, striking while the iron is hot is a logical course of action, even when moves sometimes appear to make more sense for financial reasons than footballing ones and forsaking the comfort of operating in a stable environment.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
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But that doesn’t mean forsaking the forecast and the threat of more dipping temperatures to come.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But Blanche announced this week that the administration was scrapping the plan.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
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Bilardo, meanwhile, made a significant tactical switch, scrapping his 4-3-1-2 and instead using a 3-5-2 formation to provide a spare man against England’s strike duo, with Maradona playing off Jorge Valdano rather than behind two strikers.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The mean probability of voluntarily quitting one’s job increased to the highest level in more than three years.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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According to the American College of Cardiology, first-line strategies for managing high blood pressure include quitting smoking, eating a heart-healthy diet, and increasing physical activity.—
Fran Kritz,
Verywell Health,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abandoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abandoning. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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