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

Monaco reneged on the deal, leading to United offering him a chance to train at Carrington and regain fitness. —Carl Anka, New York Times, 16 May 2025

However, prosecutors said in 2024 that Boeing reneged on the deal, failing to improve its antifraud compliance program. —Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 16 May 2025

Belinda's heart swells with hope when Tanya offers to finance her dream of running her own wellness center, but the feckless Tanya reneges on her offer without batting an eye, running off into the sunset with Greg. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 5 May 2025

The agency also recently reneged on a plan to cut off phone services after public backlash over the cuts, which would have disproportionately affected elderly and disabled SSA recipients. —Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 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