Definition of: abandon

(ə·ban′dən) v.t.
1. To give up wholly; desert; forsake, as an effort or attempt.
2. To surrender or give over: with to: He abandoned his share to his partner.
3. To yield (oneself) without restraint, as to a feeling or pastime.
— noun
1. Utter surrender to one's feelings or natural impulses.
2. Freedom. [ <OF abandoner < a bandon under one's own control]
— a·ban′don·a·ble adjective
— a·ban′don·er noun
— a·ban′don·ment noun
Synonyms (verb): abdicate, abjure, cease, cede, desert, discontinue, forgo, forsake, for-swear, leave, quit, recant, relinquish, renounce, repudiate, resign, retract, surrender, vacate. Abandon denotes the complete and final giving up, letting go, or withdrawal from persons or things of any kind; abdicate and resign apply to office, authority, or power; cede to territorial possessions; surrender especially to military force, and more generally to any demand, claim, passion, etc. Quit carries an idea of suddenness or abruptness not necessarily implied in abandon, and may not have the same suggestion of finality. Relinquish commonly implies reluctance; the creditor relinquishes his claim. Abandon implies previous association with responsibility for or control of; forsake implies previous association with inclination or attachment; a man may abandon or forsake home or friends; he abandons an enterprise. Forsake, like abandon, may be used either in the favorable or unfavorable sense; desert is commonly unfavorable, except when used of localities; as, “The Deserted Village”; a soldier deserts his post. While a monarch abdicates, necessarily implied in abandon, and may not have the same suggestion of finality. Relinquish commonly implies reluctance. Abandon implies previous association with responsibility for or control of; forsake implies previous association with inclination or attachment. Forsake, like abandon, may be used either in the favorable or unfavorable sense; desert is commonly unfavorable, except when used of localities; as “The Deserted Village”; a soldier deserts his post. While a monarch abdicates, a president or other elected or appointed officer resigns. See also RENOUNCE. Antonyms: adopt, advocate, assert, cherish, claim, court, defend, favor, haunt, hold, keep, maintain, occupy, prosecute, protect, pursue, retain, seek, support, undertake, uphold, vindicate.