as in to resign
to give up (as a position of authority) formally
the revolutionary government forced Nicholas II to abdicate the Russian throne
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Recent Examples of abdicate
But Trump has abdicated U.S. leadership in this area, in the process making these rights more fragile around the world.
—
Ari Shaw, Foreign Affairs, 17 July 2025
That’s despite the Dolphins and Hurricanes largely abdicating this century, with UM’s last national championship in 2001 and the Fins’ last playoff win in 2000.
—Miami Herald, 3 July 2025
Voluntary abdication has a precedent in Belgium: King Philippe ascended the throne in 2013 at age 53 after his father, King Albert II, abdicated at 79 due to health concerns.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 18 June 2025
And shame on the news media for abdicating their responsibility to amplify the truth.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for abdicate
Ari Shaw, Foreign Affairs, 17 July 2025
That’s despite the Dolphins and Hurricanes largely abdicating this century, with UM’s last national championship in 2001 and the Fins’ last playoff win in 2000.
—Miami Herald, 3 July 2025
Voluntary abdication has a precedent in Belgium: King Philippe ascended the throne in 2013 at age 53 after his father, King Albert II, abdicated at 79 due to health concerns.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 18 June 2025
And shame on the news media for abdicating their responsibility to amplify the truth.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for abdicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abdicate
Verb
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When Sasse abruptly resigned as president last July, citing his wife’s health issues, the majority of his cabinet staff – including Schwinn – were not reappointed, the Florida Independent Alligator reported.—
Vivian Jones,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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Facing impeachment and a federal investigation into bid-rigging involving gifts and favors from state contractors, Rowland resigned July 1, 2004 at nearly the midpoint of his third term.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Jones is not relinquishing his strong negotiating position Jones and Parsons would meet in March to discuss the linebacker’s role on the team going forward.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
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While a strong federal government may be central to the Democratic Party's identity, maintaining that objective likely requires relinquishing control from the capital and encouraging state politicos to explore new ways to achieve success.—
Alex J. Rouhandeh,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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As conditions for a ceasefire and the start of talks, Putin has demanded Ukraine withdraw its forces from four regions that Russia has claimed as its own but does not fully control, and formally renounce plans to join NATO.—
Catarina Demony,
USA Today,
14 Aug. 2025
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The Spanish government recently renounced U.S. aircraft purchases and resisted intense pressure to commit to NATO’s new 5% defense spending target, while seeking closer economic ties with China.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abdicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abdicate. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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