as in to resign
to give up (as a position of authority) formally
the revolutionary government forced Nicholas II to abdicate the Russian throne
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of abdicate
In the wake of this violence, California's feckless Democrat leaders have completely abdicated their responsibility to protect their citizens.
—
Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 June 2025
These orders are necessary to allow the U.S. to catch up in the nuclear sector after effectively having abdicated its leadership role for decades.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
The second and final season roars through the climactic storylines from the comic, as Morpheus abdicates his domain, pursued by the Furies, and a new King of Dreams is selected.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 27 June 2025
Since a weakened Congress has abdicated its power to the executive, we could sadly be dragged into yet another endless war.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for abdicate
Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 June 2025
These orders are necessary to allow the U.S. to catch up in the nuclear sector after effectively having abdicated its leadership role for decades.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
The second and final season roars through the climactic storylines from the comic, as Morpheus abdicates his domain, pursued by the Furies, and a new King of Dreams is selected.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 27 June 2025
Since a weakened Congress has abdicated its power to the executive, we could sadly be dragged into yet another endless war.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for abdicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abdicate
Verb
-
DeJoy resigned in March after President Donald Trump took office again and voiced his consideration to privatize USPS, meaning that mail service would no longer be public but rather owned and run by private companies.—
Mackenzie Thomas,
The Washington Examiner,
14 July 2025
-
Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned on July 23, 2024.—
Audrey Conklin,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
The program was created in 2010 by the La Jolla Community Foundation and subsequently was relinquished to the oversight of the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 July 2025
-
Expensive, but necessary The Magic went hard after Desmond Bane of the Memphis Grizzlies, and had to relinquish a package that included four first-round picks, and a first-round pick swap to get him.—
Morten Stig Jensen,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
Rather than coddle terrorists, all concerned parties should work to remove Hamas and establish a governing authority in Gaza—whether indigenous or imposed—that poses no threat to anyone, renounces terrorism, and seeks to live in peace.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 July 2025
-
Ray plead guilty to King’s murder, but later renounced that plea and maintained his innocence until his death in 1998.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abdicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abdicate. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share