Synonym Chooser

How is the word abdicate distinct from other similar verbs?

The words renounce and resign are common synonyms of abdicate. While all three words mean "to give up a position with no possibility of resuming it," abdicate implies a giving up of sovereign power or sometimes an evading of responsibility such as that of a parent.

abdicated the throne

In what contexts can renounce take the place of abdicate?

The synonyms renounce and abdicate are sometimes interchangeable, but renounce may replace it but often implies additionally a sacrifice for a greater end.

renounced her inheritance by marrying a commoner

When would resign be a good substitute for abdicate?

While in some cases nearly identical to abdicate, resign applies to the giving up of an unexpired office or trust.

resigned from the board

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abdicate The key is that gentle parenting is not about abdicating all responsibility but gradually empowering the child to become self-sufficient. Alex Vance, Parents, 27 Dec. 2024 He’s abdicated that role to Martinez, at least until the end of the school year, when Martinez will be fired per the earlier action of Johnson’s school board and the terms of Martinez’s employment contract. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025 But a rash of executive actions signed by Trump on Monday night raised alarm among Democrats that the U.S. was already abdicating its role to China — withdrawing from the World Health Organization and pausing all U.S. development assistance for three months pending reviews. Laura Kelly, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025 The new town square Meta is not entirely abdicating responsibility for what appears on its platforms. The Staff Of The Morning, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abdicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abdicate
Verb
  • The deputies resigned after an extraordinary series of developments in Adams’ federal criminal case.
    Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2025
  • The deputies resigned after an extraordinary series of developments in Adams' federal criminal case.
    ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE, arkansasonline.com, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In fact, the deal’s toughest opponents argued that America had traded them away too soon: The pressure was working so well that if the U.S. had just kept it up, the Iranian regime might have permanently relinquished its entire nuclear program or, better yet, collapsed.
    Edward Fishman, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Craig, who made his Bond debut in 2006's Casino Royale, relinquished his license to kill and retired his 007 with No Time to Die.
    Jessica Wang, EW.com, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The outlet said the Unwell Network has renounced all rights to Hot Mess so Earle can freely explore future opportunities.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Like his predecessors, Xi has refused to renounce the possible use of force to unify China and Taiwan.
    Sergey Radchenko, Foreign Affairs, 18 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abdicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abdicate. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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