renege

verb

re·​nege ri-ˈneg 

also -ˈnāg, 

-ˈnig 

rē-

reneged; reneging

intransitive verb

1

: to go back on a promise or commitment

2

: revoke

3

obsolete : to make a denial

transitive verb

: deny, renounce

reneger noun

Synonyms of renege

• withdraw
• recall
• back out
• back down
• retract

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

But Netanyahu’s government ministers have openly expressed opposition to the plan and are now urging him to renege entirely on cooperating with the Board of Peace. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 3 Aug. 2026

The lawsuit says the HFPA members were promised lifetime Golden Globes tickets and voting privileges, along with other perks, which Penske reneged on by attaching unworkable conditions. — Andrew Dalton, Fortune, 29 July 2026

Moreover, the filing claims that the new entity reneged on a number of promises, including that members would keep their lifetime voting rights as well as their lifetime tickets to the award show. — Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026

Mamdani even endorsed Espaillat’s reelection bid before reneging and backing the aforementioned Chevalier. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin renegare

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for renege

• big
• brig
• brigg
• dig
• fig
• gig
• jig
• mig
• pig
• prig
• rig
• sprig

Kids Definition

renege

verb

re·​nege ri-ˈnig  -ˈneg 

-ˈnēg, 

-ˈnāg

reneged; reneging

1

: deny

2

: to go back on a promise or agreement

reneged on paying the debt

reneger noun