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
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
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
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The Buffalo Bills lasted seven weeks in the pole position before relinquishing the title to the Kansas City Chiefs.—
Scott Phillips,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Hamas has shown no signs of relinquishing power or its weapons.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Runcie ended up resigning in 2021, after a statewide grand jury indicted him on a perjury charge.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Instead of resigning yourself to this mess, this hanging toiletry bag is an excellent storage hack that will keep everything from hair products to skincare in one neat, easy-to-locate pouch.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Margaret’s father succeeded him as King George VI, and her mother Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, never forgave the duke for renouncing his duty to his country.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
29 Dec. 2025
-
Ukraine withdrawing from all of the Donbas, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, and Kyiv officially renouncing its aim to join NATO.—
Andrea Shalal,
USA Today,
28 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abdicating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abdicating. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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