abnegation

noun

ab·​ne·​ga·​tion ˌab-ni-ˈgā-shən 

formal

: denial

especially : self-denial

Monks practice abnegation of the material aspects of human life.

Synonyms

• renouncement
• renunciation
• repudiation
• self-denial

Examples of abnegation in a Sentence

the couple's sudden abnegation of life in the fast lane for work as missionaries stunned everyone

Recent Examples on the Web

The explicit and quasi-religious abnegation of the right to violent self-defense put the national committee at odds with one of its key allies during the Saturday march: Black Lives Matter. —Samantha Eyler, Foreign Affairs, 31 Jan. 2017

Is that an abnegation of interviewer responsibility? —David Marchese David Marchese Photograph By Mamadi Doumbouya, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2023

In the latter’s rewrite of the Lancelot fable, the abducted Guinevere was elevated to a glamorous ice queen commanding knightly self-abnegation. —Tina Brown, New York Times, 15 Dec. 2022

The life that Alharthi describes is one of almost saintly self-abnegation. —Ron Charles, Washington Post, 24 May 2022

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abnegacioun, borrowed from Late Latin abnegātiōn-, abnegātiō, from Latin abnegāre "to refute, decline, deny" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at abnegate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing abnegation

• self-abnegation