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
Kiffin was excoriated by fans and media for abandoning his team, but neither Chambliss nor his family begrudge the coach for leaving.
—
Bomani Jones, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
Musk is accusing ChatGPT’s parent company, OpenAI, and its leaders — CEO Sam Altman and president Greg Brockman — of misleading him and abandoning the company’s original nonprofit mission.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Musk alleges Altman and other leaders at OpenAI enriched themselves by abandoning its altruistic principles and converting to a for-profit company with billions of dollars in support from Microsoft Corp.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026
But no, Steve Kerr isn't abandoning politics or moving more toward the middle.
—Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
The researchers tackled this problem by abandoning conventional magnetic materials like metal alloys and oxides.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026
The first blunder was Trump’s impetuous announcement in 2018 abandoning the Iran nuclear agreement.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
The same day, a judge sentenced her to serve three years of probation for abandoning Kha’liya’s body.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
Several potential reforms could address this vulnerability, including allowing write-in candidates in general elections, automatically elevating the third-place primary vote-getter when a primary winner withdraws, or abandoning the top-two system entirely to restore party-nominating primaries.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Bomani Jones, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
Musk is accusing ChatGPT’s parent company, OpenAI, and its leaders — CEO Sam Altman and president Greg Brockman — of misleading him and abandoning the company’s original nonprofit mission.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Musk alleges Altman and other leaders at OpenAI enriched themselves by abandoning its altruistic principles and converting to a for-profit company with billions of dollars in support from Microsoft Corp.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026
But no, Steve Kerr isn't abandoning politics or moving more toward the middle.
—Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
The researchers tackled this problem by abandoning conventional magnetic materials like metal alloys and oxides.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026
The first blunder was Trump’s impetuous announcement in 2018 abandoning the Iran nuclear agreement.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
The same day, a judge sentenced her to serve three years of probation for abandoning Kha’liya’s body.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
Several potential reforms could address this vulnerability, including allowing write-in candidates in general elections, automatically elevating the third-place primary vote-getter when a primary winner withdraws, or abandoning the top-two system entirely to restore party-nominating primaries.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abandoning
Verb
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This is a hotel with romance and celebration in mind, whether that means marking a once-in-a-lifetime occasion or indulging a lifelong love of history, art, and design.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Their relationship is fascinating, and Guardiola often appears at the end of his tether, but the manager finally recognises that Cherki’s creative talents are worth indulging.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On Saturday, April 25, Banderas, 65, and Griffith, 68, were spotted leaving Beverly Hills sushi restaurant Matsuhisa arm-in-arm after enjoying dinner together.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The complementary conditioner dials up the moisture with shea butter, murumuru butter, and amino acids to smooth and strengthen—leaving hair soft, bouncy, and ready for styling.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Three more school districts are canceling classes Friday due to a high number of teachers who plan to participate in a march for higher school funding in Raleigh.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Apr. 2026
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Last July, Colbert announced that CBS was canceling his show as of May 2026.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Experts recommend discontinuing cannabis use at least three months prior to conceiving to allow the body to generate a full cycle of healthy sperm.—
Shiv Sudhakar,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
-
While there is a chance for symptoms to rebound, the side effects of abruptly discontinuing estrogen patches aren't dangerous.—
Sukhman Rekhi,
Verywell Health,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The mall, one of Chicago’s largest, fell on hard times after getting hit by the rise of online retail and then the pandemic, losing its top retailer, Macy’s, in 2021, followed by the owner surrendering control of the property in 2022.—
Brian J. Rogal,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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The defensive effort got Cameron out of the fifth inning without surrendering a run.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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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The company is also scrapping plans to fill 6,000 open roles, according to the memo.—
Jennifer Elias,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Marcus Smart diving and scrapping and leading cheers with a scream.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Skipping that meeting and quitting OPEC at the same time will be seen as a snub to Saudi’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Riley sails on, prow forward, fighting to avoid the Imagination’s unceremonious fate, not quitting, not wishing to be retired, but battling time.—
Greg Cote
April 28,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abandoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abandoning. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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