renounce

verb

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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 Who would not want to renounce membership in a society thus peopled? — Rumaan Alam, The New Republic, "Ottessa Moshfegh’s Pursuit of Disgust," 23 June 2020 Then, three years later, she was forced to renounce daily control of the Reds. — Amber Hunt, Cincinnati.com, "The trouble with Marge: A city grapples with one woman's loathsome legacy and her largesse," 18 June 2020 For democracy to succeed, militaries have to respect civilian authority and renounce internal policing. — Kristina Mani, The Conversation, "Using the military to quash protests can erode democracy – as Latin America well knows," 8 June 2020 Gartenfeld, however, dismisses the notion that Judd renounced painting as an art form. — Siobhan Morrissey, miamiherald, "These paintings are rarely shown. You can see them in Miami's Design District. | Miami Herald," 17 May 2018 In 1896, the Supreme Court, in Plessy v. Ferguson, endorsed ‘‘separate but equal’’ racial segregation, a concept renounced 58 years later by Brown v. Board of Education. — BostonGlobe.com, "This day in history," 18 May 2020 More than 80 American companies, including medical device maker Medtronic Plc and insurer Everest Re Group Ltd, have effectively renounced their U.S. citizenship since 1982. — Laura Davison, Bloomberg.com, "Firms That Left U.S. to Cut Taxes Could Qualify for Fed Aid," 15 May 2020 This process should not be entirely renounced to syndicates of lead-managers, originators and investment banks. — Misheck Mutize, Quartz Africa, "African countries aren’t borrowing too much—they’re paying too much for debt," 22 Feb. 2020 Get our daily newsletter China’s own law on citizenship does not allow dual nationality, so someone becoming Chinese has to renounce any other passports. — The Economist, "China’s football fans ask what it takes to become Chinese," 19 Oct. 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.