Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

abdicate

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of abdicate

to give up (as a position of authority) formally

  • the revolutionary government forced Nicholas II to abdicate the Russian throne
Synonyms of abdicate

abnegate, cede, relinquish, renounce, resign, step aside (from), step down (from), surrender
Words Related to abdicate

abjure, demit, deny, disavow, disclaim, disown, waive

forsake, give up, hand over, yield

abandon, desert, quit, vacate
Near Antonyms of abdicate

appropriate, arrogate, assume, claim, confiscate

seize, take over, usurp, wrest

defend, guard, protect, safeguard, secure

Synonym Discussion of abdicate

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

Learn More about abdicate

  1. See words that rhyme with abdicate Dictionary: Definition of abdicate Spanish Central: Translation of abdicate Nglish: Translation of abdicate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of abdicate for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up abdicate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

vitiate

to make faulty or ineffective

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. nebulous Lip reading, Brexit, and semantic uncertainty

  2. synergy Mueller files Cohen details.

  3. slumgullion From the broadcast of 'It Happened on Fifth Avenue'

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games