abandoned

[ uh-ban-duhnd ]

adjective

1. forsaken or deserted:

   an abandoned building; an abandoned kitten.

2. unrestrained or uncontrolled; uninhibited:

   She danced with abandoned enthusiasm.

3. utterly lacking in moral restraints; shameless; wicked:

   an abandoned and dissolute ruler.

abandoned

/ əˈbændənd /

adjective

1. deserted

   an abandoned windmill

2. forsaken

   an abandoned child

3. unrestrained; uninhibited

   wild, abandoned dancing

4. depraved; profligate

Other Words From

• a·bandoned·ly adverb
• half-a·bandoned adjective
• una·bandoned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abandoned¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; abandon + -ed ²

Synonym Study

See immoral.

Example Sentences

“That’s way too easy. I mean, talk about the worst messaging possible,” he said, recognizing the HIV/AIDS community’s history of being abandoned.

From Los Angeles Times

Many of these have gone on to become "zama zamas" at the abandoned mines.

From BBC

South Africa-based Benchmark Foundation researcher David van Wyk, who has studied the industry, said there were about 6,000 abandoned mines in the country.

From BBC

Deputy US ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, said the document "abandoned" the necessity for there to be "a linkage between a ceasefire and the release of hostages".

From BBC

The New York Times revealed that when Cher was an infant, out of desperation her mother abandoned her at a children's home in Scranton, Pennsylvania and skipped town.

From Salon