1
as in to relinquish
to give up (as a position of authority) formally
abnegated all claims to the deceased lord's domain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to renounce
to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)
felt that if the Congress adopted these security measures, it would be abnegating the nation's fundamental commitment to individual rights
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abnegate
Her sins are the sins of loving too much and in too self-abnegating a fashion.
—
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2023
Abnegating this responsibility is going against the will of the people and we were voted in to protect the interests of the people.
—Jan Engoren, Sun-Sentinel.com, 6 July 2017
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2023
Abnegating this responsibility is going against the will of the people and we were voted in to protect the interests of the people.
—Jan Engoren, Sun-Sentinel.com, 6 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abnegate
Verb
-
Min Aung Hlaing, who had attained the rank of senior general, last week relinquished his post of commander-in-chief because the constitution prohibits the president from simultaneously holding the top military position.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Mostly because this lesson required me to relinquish my take-home treats.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
President Ahmed al-Sharaa is a one-time al-Qaeda commander who renounced the ideology before taking power.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The race’s queen has decided to renounce her throne … probably.—
Nicole Bennett,
AJC.com,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Accountability for public officials who have used the office for their own gain and abdicated the grave responsibilities vested in them is popular and a galvanizing political force.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Catholics also seemed to have abdicated their moral responsibilities to Trump.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In turn, Canadian prosecutors will withdraw all 14 murder charges laid against Kenneth Law, lawyer Matthew Gourlay told CBC News.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
When the San Francisco Chronicle published its investigation, Swalwell’s campaign collapsed within 48 hours, indicating that the evidence was sufficiently substantial to immediately persuade political allies, campaign chairs, and fellow Democrats to withdraw their support.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In a statement Friday night, House Democratic leaders had called for Swalwell to immediately end his campaign, but stopped short of urging him to resign from Congress.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Swalwell had been facing calls from allies and Democratic opponents in the gubernatorial contest to drop out of the race and resign from Congress.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Initially hidden, the rotary controller—emblazoned with the Spirit of Ecstasy icon—is revealed when the armrest retracts upon entry.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Self-retracting nozzles are the most hygienic.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The judge denied the defendants’ request to dismiss the negligence, emotional distress and punitive damages claims.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Baldwin and his legal team worked to get the involuntary manslaughter charges dismissed before the July 2024 trial, though their attempt was initially denied.—
Gillian Telling,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abnegate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abnegate. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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