abnegation
/ˌæb.nɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Abnegation means giving up your own wishes, comfort, or needs, often for a larger purpose. It can also mean self-denial or strong restraint.
- Her abnegation impressed everyone at the hospital.
- He lived with great abnegation during the crisis.
- The job required abnegation and patience.
Adinary Nuance
Abnegation is stronger and more formal than self-control or sacrifice. It often suggests giving up comfort, pleasure, or personal wishes for duty, faith, or a cause. Writers choose it when they want a serious, moral tone. It is less common in everyday speech than words like self-denial or sacrifice.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sự từ bỏ
- Spanish
- abnegación
- Chinese
- 自我克制
- Japanese
- 自己抑制
- Korean
- 자기부정
Etymology
Abnegation comes from Latin abnegare, meaning “to deny” or “to refuse.” It entered English through French in the 16th century.
Common phrases
acts of abnegationself-abnegationabnegation of the self
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is abnegation a common word in everyday English?
- No. It is formal and uncommon in daily speech.
- What is the difference between abnegation and sacrifice?
- Sacrifice is broader. Abnegation specifically means denying your own needs or wishes.
- Is abnegation used in academic writing?
- Yes, especially in essays about ethics, religion, or literature.
- Can I use abnegation in a sentence about work?
- Yes, if you want a formal tone about giving up comfort or personal desires.