abdicated

past tense of abdicate

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 abdicated Considered too lenient toward the Germans, Marie-Adelaide abdicated in January 1919 in favor of her sister, Charlotte. Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026 The popular king modernized the royal house but refused to follow in the footsteps of other aging monarchs who have abdicated in recent times. CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 After her son Edward abdicated the throne, his brother (Elizabeth’s father) became King George VI. Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026 Akihito, who abdicated in 2019, tried to bring what was seen as an aloof monarchy closer to the people, an example followed by his son, Naruhito, and his family. ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 Two of the most famous royal-commoner pairings came decades before the brothers, when King Edward abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson. Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 For a queen mother to privilege her daughter/queen’s wishes above those of the son/king who abdicated in the night? Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026 Queen Elizabeth's uncle Edward VIII abdicated the throne within a year of his ascension in order to marry a two-time divorcée, Wallis Simpson. Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 2 June 2026 The Thorns were so concerned with Chawinga in that moment that the two defenders who went to try to force her onto her left foot completely abdicated the space that Hopkins was targeting with her run forward. Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abdicated
Verb
  • Brad Wright, former UCLA and NBA player and El Camino Real Charter High’s board chair since 2020, has resigned amid mounting turmoil and investigations at the Woodland Hills school.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • For the next few minutes, the courtroom was silent, the gallery seemingly resigned to the conclusion and gravely awaiting the jury’s entrance so the judge could formally declare the mistrial.
    Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Suwarso relinquished his standard four-ticket allocation for the game.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Fast forward two years, and Variety reported that Unwell had dropped Hot Mess and relinquished all rights to the show, giving Earle the freedom to pursue new opportunities.
    Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 4 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Abdicated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abdicated. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster