as in relinquishing
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 abdicating
In its most hostile version, the same qualities are recast as evidence of his succumbing to spectacle and abdicating basic architectural responsibility.
—
Julian Rose, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026
Democratic leaders have accused Congress of abdicating its constitutional role, and some members plan to boycott the address or attend in silent protest.
—Nik Popli, Time, 23 Feb. 2026
The United States, in other words, is not just abdicating its role in the current international system.
—Elizabeth Economy, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2025
After all, Perfidia explodes other archetypes, too—for instance, abdicating her roles as a mother and romantic partner to continue her work.
—Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2025
And if that’s true, what would prohibit Congress from just abdicating all responsibility to regulate foreign commerce, for that matter, declare war, to the president.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Far from abdicating responsibility, these young adults were embracing it and moving, however slowly, into their future roles of caring for us.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
In June, the King spoke about the possibility of abdicating to make way for his daughter.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
This isn't about abdicating responsibility.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Julian Rose, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026
Democratic leaders have accused Congress of abdicating its constitutional role, and some members plan to boycott the address or attend in silent protest.
—Nik Popli, Time, 23 Feb. 2026
The United States, in other words, is not just abdicating its role in the current international system.
—Elizabeth Economy, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2025
After all, Perfidia explodes other archetypes, too—for instance, abdicating her roles as a mother and romantic partner to continue her work.
—Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2025
And if that’s true, what would prohibit Congress from just abdicating all responsibility to regulate foreign commerce, for that matter, declare war, to the president.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Far from abdicating responsibility, these young adults were embracing it and moving, however slowly, into their future roles of caring for us.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
In June, the King spoke about the possibility of abdicating to make way for his daughter.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
This isn't about abdicating responsibility.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abdicating
Verb
-
With concerns growing about a global energy crisis, an Iranian official said Tehran had no intention of relinquishing its tight grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
-
With concerns growing about a global energy crisis, an Iranian official said Tehran had no intention of relinquishing its tight grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Over last weekend, call-outs for TSA officers reached a high, with over 480 resigning, according to the DHS.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
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Pawula was working for the Big Tent Coalition, a political action committee founded by Tim Ozinga, R-Mokena, who was state representative in the 37th House District before abruptly resigning in April 2024.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The association filed several lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the fee, including one that remains pending that argues there should be no cost for renouncing one’s citizenship.—
Matthew Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The association filed several lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the fee, including one that remains pending that argues there should be no cost at all for renouncing one’s citizenship.—
Matthew Lee,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abdicating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abdicating. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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