as in resigned
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 abdicated
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
These recent hospitalizations are the latest in a series of health issues for the former monarch, who abdicated from the throne in January 2024 on the 52nd anniversary of her accession.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
Too many people have abdicated their collective responsibility.
—Ken Burns, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
Congress has abdicated its power to an oligarchy of billionaires.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 May 2026
Congress has abdicated its power to an oligarchy of billionaires.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026
Congress has already abdicated its duty.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
In 2019, Japan’s 85-year-old Emperor Akihito abdicated his throne, ending his three-decade reign; his son Crown Prince Naruhito ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
—Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
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
These recent hospitalizations are the latest in a series of health issues for the former monarch, who abdicated from the throne in January 2024 on the 52nd anniversary of her accession.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
Too many people have abdicated their collective responsibility.
—Ken Burns, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
Congress has abdicated its power to an oligarchy of billionaires.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 May 2026
Congress has abdicated its power to an oligarchy of billionaires.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026
Congress has already abdicated its duty.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
In 2019, Japan’s 85-year-old Emperor Akihito abdicated his throne, ending his three-decade reign; his son Crown Prince Naruhito ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
—Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abdicated
Verb
-
Also running against him would be Wes Streeting, who last month resigned as health secretary to plan his own leadership challenge.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
-
Stronach resigned as Magna’s chairman in 2011 and founded his own political party in his native Austria the following year.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Originally foreseen as the second Air Jordan of Michael’s post-player era, the Air Jordan 16 was designed by Wilson Smith III after Tinker Hatfield relinquished the reins.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
18 June 2026
-
The military relinquished its remaining ownership stake in the 1990s.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abdicated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abdicated. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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