abandon
39 synonyms and 23 antonyms for abandon, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To leave someone or something behind for good, especially when you have a duty to stay.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use abandon
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French abandoner, built from a ("to") and bandon ("control, jurisdiction"), so originally "to hand over to someone else's control" — which shifted to mean giving something up entirely.
Full origin of abandon →Frequently asked questions
What does “abandon” mean?
The word “abandon” means to leave someone or something behind for good, especially when you have a duty to stay. In plain terms, to leave behind or give up on something or someone completely.
How do you pronounce “abandon”?
“Abandon” is pronounced uh-BAN-duhn (/əˈbæn.dən/ in IPA).
How do you use “abandon” in a sentence?
Here is “abandon” used in a sentence: “The crew was ordered to abandon ship as it began to sink.”
What is another word for “abandon”?
Words with a similar meaning to “abandon” include abdicate, abjure, blin, cast aside, cease and cede.
What is the opposite of “abandon”?
The opposite of “abandon” — its antonyms — are acquire, adopt, arrogate, advocate and cherish.
What part of speech is “abandon”?
Depending on how it is used, “abandon” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “abandon” come from?
The word “abandon” comes from Old French. From Old French abandoner, built from a ("to") and bandon ("control, jurisdiction"), so originally "to hand over to someone else's control" — which shifted to mean giving something up entirely.
Is “abandon” a common word?
“Abandon” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between abandon and leave?
Leave is neutral and can be temporary, but abandon means leaving someone or something behind for good, especially when you have a duty to stay. Abandoning a child, a ship, or a post implies a permanent and usually blameworthy departure.
What is the difference between abandon and forsake?
Both mean to desert someone or something you have an obligation to, but forsake is older and more literary, and often applies to giving up values, beliefs, or people. Abandon is the everyday word and also covers giving up plans or activities, as in "the search was abandoned."
Is abandon always negative?
The verb usually is: it implies walking away from a duty or giving up on something completely. The noun is often positive, though, because it means joyful freedom from restraint, as in "singing with abandon."