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 Word Forms

• abandonedly adverb
• half-abandoned adjective
• unabandoned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abandoned¹

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

Synonym Study

See immoral.

Example Sentences

An abandoned station, a few rusted carriages and a dozen metres of track are all that is left of a Soviet railway in southern Armenia.

From BBC

She said that growing up without him was tough and that she "felt extremely abandoned".

From BBC

Then the pet was abandoned at an undisclosed shelter.

From Los Angeles Times

Buildings from the old shopping center have been abandoned and the property is fenced.

From Los Angeles Times

Others have already abandoned fishing for alternative opportunities, including migrating to Europe.

From BBC