abandonment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abandonment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the act of leaving something behind or the state of being abandoned, often in legal, emotional, or social discussions. Example: "The abandonment of the project left many team members feeling disheartened and confused about their future roles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"New South Wales is the only state to flat-line in its performance score, due largely to the abandonment of wholesale reform promised by the long-awaited overhaul of the planning system," the report said.

The Guardian

Sense of abandonment already deeply entrenched Reporting for the Independent from Aleppo city, Kim Sengupta also detects a a sense of abandonment.

The Guardian

It is the disappointment at the abandonment of an experiment.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wilson talked often of sacking Longford, so when he resigned from government in January 1968 over the abandonment of a commitment to raising the school-leaving age, it was a matter of jumping before being pushed.

The Guardian

Barack Obama suspended a joint news conference with the Japanese prime minister Tuesday to describe a moment of national crisis, saying that the death of an African American suspect at the hands of Baltimore police and ensuing street violence were symptoms of a decades-long abandonment of the country's most impoverished communities.

The Guardian

In New York, the entire winter has been filled with weather advisories, along with freezing rain, decreased blood circulation, sleet, swipes right, unused gym memberships, compromised public transportation infrastructure, depression, lassitude, lonely gloves, too much binge-watching, opportunistic slush of a certain sentience and the first 2,000 words of novels in various states of abandonment.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the almost complete abandonment of support for young unemployed people stands out.

The Guardian - Opinion

The electorate have already spoken on this matter and ruled out exclusion and the abandonment of the Good Friday Agreement.

The Guardian

The supporters who caused the abandonment of their final game of the season by invading the pitch made their feelings absolutely clear.

The Guardian - Sport

In between tales of teenage problems with authority, wild mood swings and the pressures of fame, singer Yannis Philippakis opened up about family therapy, his difficulties dealing with an absent father and his fear of repeating this same cycle of abandonment.

The Guardian - Music

When I consider my suppurating private life: my greying hair, my body's abandonment of anything resembling skin tone, I'd have thought I was wracked with, say, inoperable despair, but it isn't so.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about the emotional impact of "abandonment", use vivid language to convey the sense of loss and isolation. For instance, instead of saying "the child experienced abandonment", consider "the child was left reeling from the sting of abandonment".

Common error

Be careful not to use "abandonment" and "neglect" interchangeably. "Abandonment" implies a deliberate act of leaving, while "neglect" suggests a failure to provide necessary care, even if there isn't physical desertion.

Linguistic Context

The word "abandonment" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the act of abandoning or the state of being abandoned. According to Ludwig AI, the term is correct and usable in various contexts, often relating to desertion, relinquishment, or neglect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abandonment" is a versatile noun indicating the act or state of leaving something or someone behind. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While commonly found in news reports and formal documents, the term maintains a neutral register applicable across various contexts. Related terms include "desertion", "relinquishment", and "neglect", each carrying slightly different connotations. When using "abandonment", be mindful of its emotional impact and avoid confusing it with "neglect". Remember that you can find many more examples and contextual information using Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desertion

Focuses specifically on leaving someone or something without intending to return, often implying a breach of duty or loyalty.

relinquishment

Emphasizes the voluntary surrender of a right, claim, or possession.

forsaking

Highlights the act of giving up or renouncing something cherished or valued.

neglect

Implies a failure to care for or attend to something properly, leading to its decline or detriment.

discontinuation

Refers to the cessation or termination of something, such as a service or project.

cessation

Emphasizes the ending or stopping of an activity or process.

renunciation

Highlights a formal or public rejection of something, such as a belief or claim.

defection

Focuses on abandoning allegiance or loyalty to a cause, country, or organization.

dereliction

Implies a culpable neglect of duty or responsibility.

yielding

Suggests surrendering control or possession, often under pressure or necessity.

FAQs

How is "abandonment" used in legal contexts?

In legal terms, "abandonment" often refers to the voluntary relinquishment of rights or property, such as parental rights or a claim to land. It implies a clear intention to give up the right or property completely.

What are the emotional consequences of "abandonment"?

"Abandonment" can lead to feelings of insecurity, low self-esteem, and difficulty forming trusting relationships. The emotional impact can be long-lasting and require professional support to address.

What can I say instead of "abandonment" when referring to leaving a project?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "discontinuation", "cessation", or "termination" to describe the act of stopping a project.

Is there a difference between "abandonment" and "desertion"?

While similar, "abandonment" is a broader term, and "desertion" often implies leaving someone who is dependent on you, such as a spouse or child, with the intent to permanently end the relationship or responsibility.