Synonym Chooser

How is the word abdicate distinct from other similar verbs?

The words renounce and resign are common synonyms of abdicate. While all three words 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

In what contexts can renounce take the place of abdicate?

The synonyms renounce and abdicate are sometimes interchangeable, but renounce may replace it but often implies additionally a sacrifice for a greater end.

renounced her inheritance by marrying a commoner

When would resign be a good substitute for abdicate?

While in some cases nearly identical to abdicate, resign applies to the giving up of an unexpired office or trust.

resigned from the board

Examples of abdicate in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web The moderators will not be fact-checking the candidates live, according to the Associated Press, abdicating the duty to the organization's fact-checking website CBS Confirmed and its social media. James Powel, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2024 Politicians have abdicated their responsibility to unelected, unaccountable technology leaders. Marietje Schaake, Foreign Affairs, 26 Sep. 2024 In the aftermath of Germany’s 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union, which bordered Iran at the time, the U.K. forced Reza to abdicate, replacing him with his more acquiescent eldest son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2024 The United States would not be the first country to abdicate monetary hegemony. Simon Tilford, Foreign Affairs, 28 July 2020 See all Example Sentences for abdicate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abdicate
Verb
  • Caught in the vortex of egos is Cardinal Lawrence (played by a sharp Ralph Fiennes), an Englishman who’d tried to resign recently from his post over his growing doubt about his beliefs, but who was charged by the late pope to lead the conclave anyway.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2024
  • Perhaps this is not the job for a billionaire, concedes Bezos (though without any apparent desire to resign).
    Chloe Berger, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Their father died and their mother eventually relinquished parental rights.
    Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024
  • He’s relinquished almost all aspects of life to devices up to and including giving Gromit — Wallace’s eminently capable, permanently skeptical best friend — a pat on his head.
    Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Puerto Rican reggaeton star Nicky Jam has publicly renounced his recent endorsement of former President Donald Trump, expressing dismay over derogatory remarks about Puerto Rico made by a comedian at a recent Trump rally.
    Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
  • Puerto Rican reggaeton star Nicky Jam, who previously appeared at a Trump rally, renounced his endorsement of the former president.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024

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Thesaurus Entries Near abdicate

Cite this Entry

“Abdicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abdicate. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on abdicate

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