1
as in indulges
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 leaves
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 cancels
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 discontinues
to stop doing (something) permanently
marriage customs that were abandoned decades ago
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abandons
In California, anyone who abandons an elderly person under certain circumstances can be charged with a misdemeanor or possibly a felony.
—
Alexiah Syrai Olsen, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
In 1849 Melville switched to full-on fiction with a romance about an American sailor who abandons his whaling ship to explore the South Pacific.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
The term is used to describe an event during a hike or other outdoor adventure, when one partner, usually male, abandons the other, who is typically less experienced and more vulnerable, in a remote and potentially dangerous setting.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
What to read next The USSR withdraws troops from the border with Afghanistan, as Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev abandons invasion plans to focus his resources on the Space Race.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2026
God abandons the human race and lets people live out their days as the animal of their choice.
—Mariella Rudi, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
But what happens when a poet abandons this essential tool?
—Patrick Dundon, JSTOR Daily, 9 Apr. 2026
The group quickly abandons the car, leaving the infant alone with at least one of the car doors open for an hour.
—Conor Wight, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Frates and some other Miamians want the YMCA of Greater Miami to take over the building and put in athletic facilities after the library abandons the building.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Alexiah Syrai Olsen, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
In 1849 Melville switched to full-on fiction with a romance about an American sailor who abandons his whaling ship to explore the South Pacific.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
The term is used to describe an event during a hike or other outdoor adventure, when one partner, usually male, abandons the other, who is typically less experienced and more vulnerable, in a remote and potentially dangerous setting.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
What to read next The USSR withdraws troops from the border with Afghanistan, as Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev abandons invasion plans to focus his resources on the Space Race.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2026
God abandons the human race and lets people live out their days as the animal of their choice.
—Mariella Rudi, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
But what happens when a poet abandons this essential tool?
—Patrick Dundon, JSTOR Daily, 9 Apr. 2026
The group quickly abandons the car, leaving the infant alone with at least one of the car doors open for an hour.
—Conor Wight, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Frates and some other Miamians want the YMCA of Greater Miami to take over the building and put in athletic facilities after the library abandons the building.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abandons
Verb
-
Teleportation indulges me due to time efficiency, being able to travel anywhere without cost, and just the experience of being anywhere as soon as someone needs me.—
Rick Cantu,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Her girlfriend — a writer who understands the emotional and mental demands of creating — indulges her interests.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Board of Education said in a letter to families that members will identify an interim superintendent who can lead the district after Dorland leaves.—
Jessica Seaman,
Denver Post,
9 May 2026
-
When Gundula leaves for a few weeks, Hannes tends the geranium in her absence, with a dedication that proves enrapturing for him, even transformative.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The three eventually work out their differences but not before Edgar turns Miles’s proto-smart-home devices against him, cancels his credit cards, and forges a criminal record for him.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, teen boys are quietly swapping first dates, awkward silences, and emotional guesswork for an AI girlfriend who never cancels, never argues, and always texts back.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Southwest Airlines announced that more than 100 employees' jobs would be affected this summer after the airline discontinues its service at Chicago's O’Hare International Airport.—
Hannah Hudnall,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The sessions will take place as the IDFA Forum discontinues the conventional post-pitch feedback format.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When Kenobi surrenders and Vader swings his blade through Kenobi’s chest, Kenobi disappears.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
-
Just like that, Cassie surrenders her image to Maddy’s control.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The difference is the wisdom to recognize that giving away public-trust land and diminishing our quality of life forsakes the permanent greater good for the temporary benefit of a few developers and residents.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Netherlands is the only EU country that automatically revokes the citizenship of its nationals in the event of gaining dual nationality with a non-EU country.—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
Jamie requests an audience with the families and revokes their letters of banishment.—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The only smart move Spirit ever made was to call it quits after deciding the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 May 2026
-
But in the end, higher jet fuel prices triggered by the Iran war drained cash from the business at an accelerating pace, forcing it to call it quits.—
Bernard Condon,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abandons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abandons. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
