renege

verb

re·​nege ri-ˈneg How to pronounce renege (audio)
 also  -ˈnāg,
-ˈnig;
rē- How to pronounce renege (audio)
reneged; reneging

intransitive verb

1
: to go back on a promise or commitment
2
: revoke
3
obsolete : to make a denial
reneger noun

Examples of renege in a Sentence

They had promised to pay her tuition but later reneged. my so-called best friend promised to help me move, only to renege come Saturday morning
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. decided last week that the U.S. will renege on its vow to assist the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi) financially. Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 But even the truce with China was threatened after Washington and Beijing accused each other of reneging on the terms, leading to marathon talks earlier this week in London on how to implement their agreement. Arkansas Online, 13 June 2025 Both sides had accused each other of reneging on a preliminary trade deal struck in Switzerland last month. Sam Meredith,april Roach, CNBC, 11 June 2025 Last week, the Trump administration reneged on a pledge to host an open World Cup by issuing a travel ban on people from 12 countries, including Iran, which has already qualified for the World Cup. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for renege

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin renegare

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of renege was in 1548

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Renege.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/renege. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

renege

verb
re·​nege ri-ˈnig How to pronounce renege (audio) -ˈneg How to pronounce renege (audio)
-ˈnēg,
-ˈnāg
reneged; reneging
1
: deny
2
: to go back on a promise or agreement
reneged on paying the debt
reneger noun

More from Merriam-Webster on renege

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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