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

This wish is granted, but Salieri reneges on his end of the deal after losing faith in the Almighty. —Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026

In a time when the message from Washington is to double down on fossil fuel use, Northeast governors are reneging on climate commitments. —Susan Moynihan, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026

Moy claims that Christian reneged on the deal, however. —Gary Graff, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2026

Binance, however, appears to be reneging on its promise. —Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 13 Feb. 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