abandonment
noun
aban·don·ment
ə-ˈban-dən-mənt 
1
: the act of abandoning something or someone
In its family and social contexts, he argues, the abandonment of children was, if not a "good thing," at least the most feasible means of family limitation during the many centuries when other methods were largely ineffective or, in the case of Christians, prohibited.—
Mary Martin McLaughlin
Mary Martin McLaughlin2
: the state of being abandoned
fear of abandonment
The opulence of her life as an expat wife failed to soothe her feelings of abandonment, boredom and oppression.—Bob Shacochis
—sometimes used before another nounBob Shacochisabandonment issues
Synonyms
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
Recent Examples on the Web
But the abandonment of patients is still happening every day, just in less visible ways, especially for individuals without life- or limb-threatening emergencies that require immediate intervention.
—Renee Hsia, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
For animal lovers who want to help Trooper right now, Dawson suggests donating to dog's mounting medical bills or sharing his story with others to raise awareness about the effects of dog fighting and animal abandonment.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
Well, if Eddie is thinking about relocating and upending Buck’s life, Buck already has abandonment issues stretching back ages, so this is going to have an effect on him.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 21 Nov. 2024
The charges include abandonment of a person followed by death, and supply and facilitation of narcotics.
—Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for abandonment 
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Renee Hsia, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
For animal lovers who want to help Trooper right now, Dawson suggests donating to dog's mounting medical bills or sharing his story with others to raise awareness about the effects of dog fighting and animal abandonment.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
Well, if Eddie is thinking about relocating and upending Buck’s life, Buck already has abandonment issues stretching back ages, so this is going to have an effect on him.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 21 Nov. 2024
The charges include abandonment of a person followed by death, and supply and facilitation of narcotics.
—Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for abandonment
Dictionary Entries Near abandonment
Cite this Entry
“Abandonment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abandonment. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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