Abandonment (noun)

Meaning & Definition of Abandonment

the act of abandoning something or someone
the state of being abandoned —sometimes used before another noun

Abandonment (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

carefree freedom from constraint

"sang at the top of her lungs with complete abandonment in the shower"

similar: abandon, ease, lightheartedness, naturalness, spontaneity, spontaneousness, unconstraint, uninhibitedness, unrestraint

related: ardor, enthusiasm, exuberance, fervor, spirit, warmth, zeal, zealotry, zealousness, carelessness, heedlessness, impulsiveness, impulsivity, indiscretion, insouciance, recklessness, thoughtlessness, unself-consciousness, casualness, offhandedness, excess, excessiveness, immoderacy, incontinence, indulgence, intemperance, licentiousness, permissiveness, wantonness, wildness, blank check, carte blanche, free hand

opposite: constraint, restraint

near: embarrassment, reserve, reticence, self-consciousness, uneasiness, inhibition, repression, self-restraint, suppression, carefulness, discreetness, discretion, heedfulness, discipline, self-command, self-control, self-denial, self-discipline, self-mastery, willpower
the act of abandoning

"the law says abandonment by the owner of any building for more than a year entitles the city to sell it"

similar: dereliction, desertion, forsaking

related: defection, tergiversation, discard, dumping, jettisoning

opposite: reclamation

near: retention, recoupment, repossession, retrieval
the act of putting an end to something planned or previously agreed to

"the park commissioner cited cost considerations as the main reason for the project's abandonment"

similar: abortion, calling, calling off, cancellation, dropping, recall, recision, repeal, rescission, revocation

related: annulment, invalidation, neutralization, nullification, voidance, abolishment, abolition, ending, halting, stopping, termination, giving up, relinquishment, surrender, reversal, rollback

opposite: continuation

near: beginning, commencement, initiation, engagement, undertaking

Related Entry: Abandon (verb)

Abandon is a different word from Abandonment. The synonyms below are for abandon, not for abandonment.

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"

similar: deliver, give up, indulge, surrender, yield

related: overdo, overindulge, bask, luxuriate, revel, roll, wallow

opposite: deny

near: abstain (from), eschew, forbear, forgo, refrain (from), check, inhibit, restrain
to cause to remain behind

"abandoned the group that he had been hiking with and struck out on his own"

similar: desert, forsake, leave, maroon, quit, strand, walk away from, walk out on

related: discard, ditch, dump, fling, jettison, junk, scrap, shed, shuck (off), throw away, throw out, deliver, give up, hand over, relinquish, surrender, yield, escape, retreat (from), take off (from), vacate, withdraw (from), abjure, cut off, disown, reject, renounce, repudiate, separate (from), sacrifice, distance, disregard, forget, ignore, neglect

opposite: reclaim

near: harbor, have, hold, keep, own, possess, reserve, retain, withhold, redeem, rescue, save
to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to)

"the bad weather forced NASA to abandon the launch"

similar: abort, call, call off, cancel, cry off, drop, recall, repeal, rescind, revoke, scrap, scrub

related: abrogate, annul, invalidate, nullify, void, write off, recant, retract, take back, withdraw, countermand, reverse, roll back, break off, discontinue, end, halt, stop, terminate, hold back, interrupt, suspend, give up, relinquish, surrender

opposite: continue, keep

near: engage, pledge, promise, begin, commence, initiate, start, take on, take up, undertake
to stop doing (something) permanently

"marriage customs that were abandoned decades ago"

similar: discontinue, drop, give up, knock off, lay off (of), pack (up or in), quit, hang it up, have done (with)

related: break off, break up, cease, close, conclude, end, expire, finish, halt, leave off, shut off, pause, taper off, throw up, round (off or out), terminate, wind up, wrap up

opposite: carry on, continue, keep, keep up, maintain

near: go, run on, hang in, hang on, hold on, persevere, persist, follow through (with), renew, reopen, restart, resume, preserve, stay, begin, commence, start

Related Entry: Self-abandonment (noun)

Self-abandonment is a different word from Abandonment. The synonyms below are for self-abandonment, not for abandonment.

as in uninhibitedness

similar: uninhibitedness, disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint, unrestrainedness, gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence, bluntness, candor, frankness, immoderacy, intemperance

opposite: constraint, continence, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression, reserve, restraint, self-command, self-control, self-restraint, suppression, command, control, mastery, possession, self-censorship, self-containment, self-denial, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, will, willpower
as in selflessness, unselfishness

similar: self-forgetfulness, selflessness, unselfishness, altruism, generosity, magnanimity, self-sacrifice, detachment, disinterestedness, fairness, impartiality, neutrality, objectivity, self-flagellation, self-annihilation, self-immolation

opposite: egocentricity, egocentrism, egoism, egomania, egotism, narcissism, navel-gazing, self-absorption, self-centeredness, self-concern, self-interest, self-involvement, selfishness, selfness, self-preoccupation, self-regard, complacence, complacency, conceit, conceitedness, ego, pomposity, pompousness, pride, pridefulness, self-admiration, self-conceit, self-esteem, self-importance, self-indulgence, self-love, self-partiality, self-respect, self-satisfaction, self-sufficiency, smugness, vaingloriousness, vainglory, vainness, vanity, self-assumption, self-consequence, self-content, self-contentment, self-glorification

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Abandonment

The most common words with a similar meaning to Abandonment:

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Abandonment

Words with the opposite meaning of Abandonment:

constraint, restraint, reclamation, continuation

Related Words for Abandonment

Near Antonyms of Abandonment

Origin & Etymology of Abandonment

First known use: 1593

Words & Phrases Containing Abandonment

self-abandonment

Frequently Asked Questions about Abandonment

What does "Abandonment" mean?

"Abandonment" means the act of abandoning something or someone. As a noun, it is defined as: the act of abandoning something or someone. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Abandonment"?

Other words for "Abandonment" include abandon, ease, lightheartedness, naturalness, spontaneity, spontaneousness, unconstraint and uninhibitedness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Abandonment" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Abandonment"?

There are 76 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Abandonment". Common alternatives include abandon, ease, lightheartedness, naturalness, spontaneity, spontaneousness, unconstraint, uninhibitedness, unrestraint and dereliction.

What is the opposite of "Abandonment"?

Antonyms of "Abandonment" include constraint, restraint, reclamation and continuation. Near antonyms include embarrassment, reserve, reticence and self-consciousness.

How do you use "Abandonment" in a sentence?

Examples of "Abandonment" in a sentence: "sang at the top of her lungs with complete abandonment in the shower"; "the law says abandonment by the owner of any building for more than a year entitles the city to sell it"; "the park commissioner cited cost considerations as the main reason for the project's abandonment".

Is "Abandonment" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Abandonment" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Abandonment"?

"Abandonment" is pronounced /ə-ˈban-dən-mənt/ and divided into syllables as aban·don·ment.

What is the origin of the word "Abandonment"?

First known use: 1593.