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

• back down
• back off
• back out
• cop out
• fink out

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

The municipal lobbying group also has charged, on many occasions, that state government often reneges on pledges to transfer funds to cities and towns, leaving local property taxpayers in the lurch. —Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 23 Apr. 2025

The Kremlin has been giving the U.S. and Ukraine a run-around on ceasefire proposals, pushing maximalist demands and reneging on agreements while maintaining that Russia sincerely desires peace. —Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 18 Apr. 2025

Serrano claimed on Wednesday that the undisputed 140-pound champion reneged on a handshake agreement that their upcoming bout would feature 12 three-minute rounds, the same as a men’s title match. —Anthony Stitt, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025

Editorial: Colorado will renege on school funding promise. —Rj Sangosti, The Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2025

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