renunciation

noun

re·​nun·​ci·​a·​tion ri-ˌnən(t)-sē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce renunciation (audio)
: the act or practice of renouncing : repudiation
specifically : ascetic self-denial
renunciative adjective
renunciatory adjective

Example Sentences

the king's renunciation of the throne Their vows include renunciation of all wealth.
Recent Examples on the Web And there, we were guaranteed safety and territorial integrity on the condition of the renunciation of nuclear weapons. Washington Post Staff, Washington Post, 13 May 2023 Kindness, selflessness to the point of self-abnegation, material and moral renunciation—a sort of Christlike love that asks nothing in return—would seem, in Galgut’s unflinching yet not utterly hopeless vision, to offer a possible, if flawed, path forward. Claire Messud, Harper's Magazine, 16 Mar. 2021 Hence Nora’s renunciation of college life. The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2022 Citizenship renunciation is surging. Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2020 The philosopher, known for his great speeches on renunciation and clemency, is himself one of the richest men in ancient Rome. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Dec. 2022 Such intentional isolation, in the religious sphere, is often associated with profound wisdom and spiritual pureness — qualities said to arise from a renunciation of material comforts. Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 8 Sep. 2022 Local media outlets reported that Devanshi—whose family established and owns the Sanghvi and Sons diamond manufacturer—took diksha, the vow of renunciation, in the presence of a Jain monk and thousands of witnesses. Chloe Taylor, Fortune, 24 Jan. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'renunciation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English renunciacion, from Anglo-French, from Latin renuntiation-, renuntiatio, from renuntiare to renounce

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near renunciation

Cite this Entry

“Renunciation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/renunciation. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

renunciation

noun
re·​nun·​ci·​a·​tion ri-ˌnən(t)-sē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce renunciation (audio)
: the act or practice of renouncing

Legal Definition

renunciation

noun
re·​nun·​ci·​a·​tion ri-ˌnən-sē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce renunciation (audio)
: the act or practice of renouncing
specifically : the act of refusing to continue to acknowledge, recognize, or be bound by a contract or obligation : repudiation

More from Merriam-Webster on renunciation

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