renounce

verb

re·​nounce ri-ˈnau̇n(t)s How to pronounce renounce (audio)
renounced; renouncing

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
renouncement noun
renouncer noun
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sausage-makers do not always renounce the consumption of sausage. Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024 These newspapers did not renounce endorsements in non-presidential races that equally betray partisan bias. Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 6 Nov. 2024 Felipe immediately cut a new figure, renouncing his personal inheritance and increasing the financial transparency of his royal house. Joseph Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2024 Others, such as Brazil and India, work with Russia as members of BRICS but want to reform rather than renounce the existing global order. Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for renounce 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French renuncer, from Latin renuntiare, from re- + nuntiare to report, from nuntius messenger

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of renounce was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near renounce

Cite this Entry

“Renounce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/renounce. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

renounce

verb
re·​nounce ri-ˈnau̇n(t)s How to pronounce renounce (audio)
renounced; renouncing
1
: to give up, refuse, or resign usually by public declaration
renounced the throne
2
: to refuse to follow, obey, or recognize any further : repudiate
renounced the authority of her political party
renouncement noun
renouncer noun

Legal Definition

renounce

verb
re·​nounce ri-ˈnau̇ns How to pronounce renounce (audio)
renounced; renouncing

transitive verb

1
: to announce one's abandonment or giving up of a right to or interest in : disclaim sense 1
renounce an inheritance
2
: to refuse to follow, obey, or recognize any further
renounce allegiance to one's country

intransitive verb

: to make a renunciation

More from Merriam-Webster on renounce

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