əˈbæn.dn̩.mn̩t əˈbæn.dn̩.mn̩t əˈpɒstəsi dɪˈfɛkʃən dɪˈzɜːʃən withdrawing support or help despite allegiance or responsibility his abandonment of his wife and children left them penniless the state of having rejected your religious beliefs for your political party or a cause (often in favor of opposing beliefs or causes)