• Today's Word

Abnegation

ab-nuh-GAY-shun

Definition

1. (noun) The act of renouncing or rejecting something, often for moral or selfless reasons.

Example

His abnegation of wealth in favor of charity inspired many.

Abnegation has long been a cornerstone of religious and philosophical traditions. In Buddhism, renouncing worldly pleasures is a path toward enlightenment, while in Stoic philosophy, self-denial fosters discipline and inner strength. Historical figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa practiced abnegation in their dedication to service. Even in literature, self-sacrificing heroes—like Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities—exemplify abnegation by putting others before themselves.