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
The loss was impacted by a $15.7 million other expense, net, primarily related to the accrual of additional expenses for net abandonment obligations.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
Its formidable Second Fleet would protect sea routes, support the continent’s major naval powers, and continue to provide extended deterrence—satiating Europeans who are afraid of abandonment at a time of Russian revanchism.
—Sumantra Maitra, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
This sense of abandonment from hip-hop lovers emerged but for Andre, the need to grow has always been more important than the need to constantly be what the world requests of him.
—Essence, 25 Oct. 2024
These cities are predicted to have engaged in metal production, and may have also over-exploited the nearby forest resources beyond a point of economic sustainability, leading to its abandonment.
—Hannah Peart, NBC News, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for abandonment 
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Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
Its formidable Second Fleet would protect sea routes, support the continent’s major naval powers, and continue to provide extended deterrence—satiating Europeans who are afraid of abandonment at a time of Russian revanchism.
—Sumantra Maitra, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
This sense of abandonment from hip-hop lovers emerged but for Andre, the need to grow has always been more important than the need to constantly be what the world requests of him.
—Essence, 25 Oct. 2024
These cities are predicted to have engaged in metal production, and may have also over-exploited the nearby forest resources beyond a point of economic sustainability, leading to its abandonment.
—Hannah Peart, NBC News, 24 Oct. 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 28 Nov. 2024.
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