abnegation
Noun
Hard difficulty
What does “abnegation” mean?
noun.the act of rejecting or renouncing something; self-denial.
SAT Usage
Abnegation often appears in passages discussing themes of sacrifice, morality, or personal struggle. It emphasizes a conscious choice to forgo one's desires or needs, highlighting the strength or virtue in self-denial, which contrasts with similar terms like "renunciation" that may lack the personal, voluntary aspect of the act.
Common Confusions
Abnegation implies a voluntary choice to renounce personal desires for a greater good, while renunciation usually suggests a formal or legal rejection of something without the same emphasis on personal sacrifice.
Example Sentences
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The monk's life required complete abnegation of personal desire.
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His abnegation of the offer surprised everyone.
Word Parts: How to Remember “abnegation”
Break “abnegation” into its parts: ab- (away from, off). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.
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Prefix:
ab-away from, off (Latin)