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

The Hollister Democrat signed off on the deal with Newsom and Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limon (D-Santa Barbara), but reneged at the last minute under pressure from the Assembly Democratic Caucus. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

France’s own prime minister has warned that reneging on the national debt would force the country to borrow at exorbitant interest rates, just as the government must turn to the bond market to raise more than $360 billion this year. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026

Sources at Chelsea, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, accused Monaco of unprofessionalism for reneging on a €54million (£47m) deal agreed just hours earlier. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Indeed, history is replete with governments reneging on oil deals, especially those that would seem to have been signed under duress. — Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 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