renounce

verb

re·nounce | \ ri-ˈnau̇n(t)s

renounced; renouncing

Definition of renounce

transitive verb

1 : to give up, refuse, or resign usually by formal declaration renounce his errors

2 : to refuse to follow, obey, or recognize any further : repudiate renounce the authority of the church

intransitive verb

1 : to make a renunciation

2 : to fail to follow suit in a card game

Other Words from renounce Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about renounce

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Choose the Right Synonym for renounce

abdicate, renounce, resign mean to give up a position with no possibility of resuming it. abdicate implies a giving up of sovereign power or sometimes an evading of responsibility such as that of a parent. abdicated the throne renounce may replace it but often implies additionally a sacrifice for a greater end. renounced her inheritance by marrying a commoner resign applies to the giving up of an unexpired office or trust. resigned from the board

abjure, renounce, forswear, recant, retract mean to withdraw one's word or professed belief. abjure implies a firm and final rejecting or abandoning often made under oath. abjured the errors of his former faith renounce may carry the meaning of disclaim or disown. renounced abstract art and turned to portrait painting forswear may add an implication of perjury or betrayal. I cannot forswear my principles recant stresses the withdrawing or denying of something professed or taught. if they recant they will be spared retract applies to the withdrawing of a promise, an offer, or an accusation. the newspaper had to retract the story

Examples of renounce in a Sentence

Many of his former supporters have renounced him. He renounced his old way of life.

Recent Examples on the Web

That could allow Dallas or Denver to sign Harris, reported Bucher, who added the Nuggets would then renounce their rights to veteran power forward Paul Millsap. — Matt Goul, cleveland.com, "LeBron James courting Kawhi Leonard; What are Los Angeles Lakers’ options? NBA free agents 2019 rumors, news," 28 June 2019 Claudio viciously renounces her, hardly having troubled to investigate the claim. — Jesse Green, New York Times, "Review: In Central Park, a ‘Much Ado’ About Something Big," 11 June 2019 Fu also provided video footage of what appeared to be piles of burning bibles and forms stating that the signatories had renounced their Christian faith. — Christopher Bodeen, Fox News, "Group: Officials destroying crosses, burning bibles in China," 10 Sep. 2018 If the Bucks don't renounce Parker or strike a deal for a sign-and-trade, the Bulls could simply then agree to an offer sheet with Parker and force the Bucks to match or lose him. — Matt Velazquez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Jabari Parker nearing offer sheet deal with Chicago Bulls," 13 July 2018 Anyone in the culture who is calling for a cessation of stereotypes has to renounce them in full. — Author: Carolyn Hax, Anchorage Daily News, "Carolyn Hax: Want to make sexism obsolete? Start with the kids.," 25 June 2018 In chambers, young Gloria renounced her mother to the judge. — The Washington Post, Twin Cities, "Gloria Vanderbilt, 95; actress, socialite was subject of scandal-tinged 1930s custody trial," 17 June 2019 The power forward — renounced for his volatility in Buffalo — has received nothing but rave reviews in the dressing room and, at age 27, has become a core player for this San Jose team. — Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, "Kurtenbach: What Erik Karlsson’s mega contract means for the Sharks," 17 June 2019 The Party machinery renounced the Yugoslav youth and their bourgeois tendencies, as did the institutions of the state, and the youth got its young asses kicked both rhetorically and actually. — Aleksandar Hemon, The New Yorker, "My Mother and the Failed Experiment of Yugoslavia," 5 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'renounce.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.