OpenSynonym

abandons

/əˈbændənz/

VERB

1. To leave or desert someone or something

To leave a person, place, or thing behind, especially by ending a relationship, withdrawing support, or ceasing to provide care or protection.

1.1. People and personal relationships

Used when someone leaves a person who depends on them or fails to fulfill a personal, moral, or social responsibility.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • supports
  • protects
  • stands by
  • cares for

Examples

  • A responsible parent never abandons a child who depends on them.
  • He abandons his friends whenever they encounter difficulties.
  • The company abandons its customers when they need assistance most.

Related Words

1.2. Places, vehicles, and dangerous situations

Used when people leave a location, vessel, building, or other place because it is unsafe, unusable, or no longer worth occupying.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The crew abandons the sinking ship before it disappears beneath the waves.
  • Residents abandon their homes when the wildfire approaches.
  • The soldiers abandon their positions when the enemy advances.

Related Words

VERB

2. To give up an activity, plan, or intention

To stop pursuing, maintaining, developing, or attempting something, often because it is unsuccessful, impractical, or no longer desirable.

2.1. Plans, projects, and activities

Used when someone decides to stop working on a project, discontinue an activity, or cease pursuing a particular objective.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The entrepreneur abandons the project after several unsuccessful attempts.
  • She abandons her plans to travel abroad because of financial difficulties.
  • The committee abandons the proposal after reviewing the new evidence.

Related Words

  • project
  • objective
  • commitment
  • setback
  • discontinuation

2.2. Beliefs, principles, and practices

Used when someone stops following a belief, tradition, habit, method, or established practice that they previously accepted or maintained.

Synonyms

  • renounces
  • forsakes
  • relinquishes
  • discontinues
  • gives up
  • repudiates

Antonyms

Examples

  • He abandons his former beliefs after studying the subject more carefully.
  • The community abandons an outdated tradition in favor of a more practical approach.
  • She abandons the habit of checking her phone during meals.

Related Words

VERB

3. To relinquish a right, claim, or possession

To voluntarily give up ownership, control, a legal right, a claim, or an interest, generally without intending to recover or exercise it again.

3.1. Rights, claims, and legal interests

Used in legal, financial, or formal situations when a person or organization relinquishes a right, claim, title, or interest in something.

Synonyms

  • relinquishes
  • renounces
  • waives
  • surrenders
  • forgoes
  • cedes
  • disclaims

Antonyms

  • asserts
  • claims
  • retains
  • upholds
  • exercises

Examples

  • The heir abandons his claim to the disputed property.
  • The agreement states that the company abandons any further claim to compensation.
  • She abandons her right to appeal after reaching a settlement.

Related Words

  • ownership
  • entitlement
  • property
  • title
  • legal interest

3.2. Property, possessions, and resources

Used when someone gives up possession or control of property, assets, equipment, or other resources, leaving them unused or transferring responsibility for them.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • keeps
  • retains
  • preserves
  • holds on to

Examples

  • The owner abandons the property after failing to pay the outstanding taxes.
  • The organization abandons its old equipment when the new system is installed.
  • The investor abandons his interest in the venture after negotiations collapse.

Related Words

  • asset
  • possession
  • ownership
  • disposal
  • transfer

3.3. Contracts, policies, and official decisions

Used when an organization or authority formally withdraws from a proposal, cancels an arrangement, or ceases to enforce or pursue a previous decision.

Synonyms

  • rescinds
  • revokes
  • withdraws
  • cancels
  • discontinues
  • relinquishes

Antonyms

Examples

  • The administration abandons the proposed policy after public criticism.
  • The company abandons its plan to acquire the smaller competitor.
  • The agency abandons the initiative when funding becomes unavailable.

Related Words

VERB

4. To surrender oneself to feelings or impulses

To give oneself over completely to an emotion, desire, activity, or impulse without exercising the usual degree of restraint or self-control.

4.1. Emotions and personal impulses

Used when someone allows an emotion, desire, or spontaneous impulse to dominate their behavior instead of controlling or resisting it.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • restrains
  • resists
  • controls
  • suppresses
  • checks

Examples

  • He abandons himself to grief after receiving the devastating news.
  • She abandons herself to the excitement of the celebration.
  • He abandons himself to anger instead of addressing the disagreement calmly.

Related Words