reckless abandonment

[ rek-lis uh-ban-duhn-muhnt ]

noun

, Law.

1. the crime of deliberately and permanently leaving a child alone and in a condition or situation that leads to the child’s death.

Confusables Note

Reckless abandonment and reckless abandon both involve being reckless and abandoning someone or something, but they are quite different. Reckless abandonment is the serious crime of abandoning or deserting a child in circumstances that result in the child’s death; it is reckless because it indicates a total disregard for the welfare of a helpless or dependent person and for the consequences of one’s actions towards that person. Reckless abandon, on the other hand, is an attitude of abandoning or throwing off one’s inhibitions and giving oneself up to a passion or enthusiasm for something. It is reckless because no attention is paid to possible cost, the opinions of others, or the assumed rules of “sensible” behavior.

Word History and Origins

Origin of reckless abandonment¹

First recorded in 1820–30, for an earlier sense

Example Sentences

“No one is recommending a reckless abandonment of common sense,” he said.

From Washington Post

“But here’s the thing: He showed us kids how to play mean, throw elbows and play with reckless abandonment. My daddy used to tell me all the time, ‘You got to rebound like Barkley and get some elbows up.’

From Washington Post

The reckless abandonment can get put into the work, and I don’t need to go seek it out.

From New York Times

“The open-border policy of the president’s administration has created a health crisis as well as a financial crisis, and states across the nation are being forced to pay for the reckless abandonment of the rule of law.”

From Washington Times

“Secretary Mayorkas is failing to faithfully uphold his oath of office and is presiding over a reckless abandonment of border security and immigration enforcement, at the expense of the U.S. Constitution and the security of the United States,” the lawmaker said.

From Washington Times