# abnegation

/ˌæbnɛˈɡeɪʃən/ (US) · /ˌæbnɪɡˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abnegation
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

the act of giving up something you want or need, especially to help others or for a good cause.

For teachers: the act of renouncing or giving up something, typically a personal desire or a right, for the sake of others or a higher purpose.

## Examples

- The monk's life of abnegation was dedicated to helping the poor.
- Her decision to leave a high-paying job for a life of abnegation surprised many of her friends.
- The philosopher argued that true moral integrity requires a degree of abnegation, where one must sacrifice personal comfort to uphold a universal ethical standard.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.