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
They’d be upset about Article One of the Constitution, the legislative branch abdicating its powers; that is, the people’s power to wage war and to levy tariffs.
—
Ken Burns, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
Dinello was right, and The Late Show eventually became late night’s ratings leader—a throne that CBS is now voluntarily abdicating.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
Congress abdicating its authority.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
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
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
Ken Burns, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
Dinello was right, and The Late Show eventually became late night’s ratings leader—a throne that CBS is now voluntarily abdicating.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
Congress abdicating its authority.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abdicating
Verb
-
Iranian media have emphasized that reopening the waterway to shipping does not mean Tehran is relinquishing its wartime claims over the strategic chokepoint.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
24 May 2026
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Trump has said numerous times that any final resolution would have to involve Iran relinquishing its nuclear program, either by means of a diplomatic agreement or by force.—
Chris Boccia,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Despite their steadfast opposition to the change, most in the college hockey world are resigning themselves to likely new reality.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
29 May 2026
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Last fall, former Chief Floyd Mitchell openly criticized the stringent nature of federal court oversight while resigning from the department after just a year and a half on the job, leaving the agency searching for a new leader for at least the 10th time since 2015.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Verb
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The program calls for the recognition of Israel and renouncing armed struggle, effectively sidelining Hamas and other factions.—
SAM METZ,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The program calls for the recognition of Israel and renouncing armed struggle, effectively sidelining Hamas and other factions.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abdicating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abdicating. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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