abnegate

verb

ˈab-ni-ˌgāt How to pronounce abnegate (audio)
Definition of abnegatenext
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

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abnegate
  1. relinquish
  2. renounce
  3. abdicate
  4. withdraw
  5. resign
  6. retract
  7. deny
Verb
  • Going down the cap-room road, however, would require Atlanta to relinquish Dort, CJ McCollum and Jock Landale after the season.
    — John Hollinger, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • In 2021, the unnamed collector who bought them voluntarily relinquished for repatriation nearly three dozen Cambodian and Southeast Asian antiquities purchased from Latchford between 2003 and 2007.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 16 July 2026
Definition of relinquish
Verb
  • What follows are dozens of examples of how those whose names are familiar (or aren’t) and legendary (or infamous) for their actions while representing the state have been embraced (or renounced) by the rest of the country and beyond.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
  • Spiritually, His Holiness is an emanation, or tulku, of the bodhisattva Chenrezig, who renounced nirvana to help mankind.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026
Definition of renounce
Verb
  • Also in attendance were his parents, King Juan Carlos, who abdicated in 2014, and Queen Sophia.
    — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
  • Aemond is not going to back down, and Aegon has already ditched his plan to abdicate.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of abdicate
Verb
  • When asked if the lawsuits involving Davis’ fees would be withdrawn, a spokesperson for Grapevine-Colleyville said the school board is reviewing the invoices, and the district couldn’t speculate before that process is complete.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
  • The reforms include winding down mRNA vaccine development, withdrawing funding for an international vaccine alliance and tightening access to COVID shots.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Definition of withdraw
Verb
  • Hong and the head of the Korea Football Association, Chung Mong-gyu, have since resigned.
    — Juliana Kim, NPR, 16 July 2026
  • If the official doesn’t resign, the City Council must order an election at the earliest date permitted under state law.
    — Emily Holshouser July 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Definition of resign
Verb
  • Over the weekend, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a positive lettuce test, then retracted it a day later as a false positive.
    — Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • With a catheter inserted into a vein, intravenous tubing fitted and a syringe pump loaded and primed, the subject waits as the bed retracts until his brain is centered within the great coils of an MRI machine calibrated to map altered brain states.
    — Charles Moss, SPIN, 16 July 2026
Definition of retract
Verb
  • Iran's government denied involvement in the 2022 stabbing, but its Foreign Ministry's then-spokesperson suggested Rushdie invited trouble by insulting Islam.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • The judge denied a request to unshackle him completely, saying that the handcuffs would be removed while Burke was at the table but that his legs would remain shackled under it.
    — Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 22 July 2026
Definition of deny

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Cite this Entry

“Abnegate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abnegate. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on abnegate

Nglish: Translation of abnegate for Spanish Speakers

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