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
-
While Israel wants to eradicate Hamas following the Oct. 7 attacks, the group has shown little willingness to relinquish its political and military power in Gaza.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
5 July 2025
-
Lesson 4: Less data, better decisions Without her phone, my wife had to relinquish her customary role as the navigator.—
JJ Rosen,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Verb
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The justices who renounced that lie in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Center exposed themselves to scurrilous criticisms and even threats to their safety.—
The Editors,
National Review,
24 June 2025
-
Syria's new government, led by a former affiliate of ISIS and Al-Qaeda who has renounced jihadi ties in recent years, has vowed to continue efforts to battle ISIS.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Verb
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The second and final season roars through the climactic storylines from the comic, as Morpheus abdicates his domain, pursued by the Furies, and a new King of Dreams is selected.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
27 June 2025
-
Since a weakened Congress has abdicated its power to the executive, we could sadly be dragged into yet another endless war.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 June 2025
Verb
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The result will be an increase in preying on immigrants by the criminal element: robbery, protection scams, sweatshop labor and human trafficking, as the immigrant community withdraws from reliance on no-longer-safe court systems.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
4 July 2025
-
The traffic receded as Chicago withdrew into the distance behind me on Interstate 90.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
4 July 2025
Verb
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Eric Garrett, who oversaw Ross’ department as CHA’s chief operating officer, resigned Jan. 3 and received around $87,200 per his separation agreement and Tribune calculations.—
Lizzie Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2025
-
One member resigned earlier this week and three others asked for their names to be removed from the report.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 June 2025
Verb
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Trade with Mexico has been robust – and the U.S. deficit with Mexico has swollen as China’s has retracted.—
Ken Roberts,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
-
But at the last moment, as the path between the two structures is retracting, Gi-hun jumps over and begins to fight Myung-gi to the death with the knife he’s had in his possession, as the baby lies off to the side.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
27 June 2025
Verb
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But the company denies claims that its equipment sparked the 2019 fire, which tore through Sylmar, Porter Ranch and Granada Hills — all suburbs of Los Angeles — burning 8,799 acres.—
Melody Petersen,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
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To many in the transgender community, the policy also felt like another attack by the current administration to erase them from public spaces and deny their existence.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
Verb
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This advice may seem to contradict much advice (including my own) about setting boundaries.—
Hanna Hart,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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Phone records contradicted that story, showing the pair was frequently in the same location in the 10-day period leading up to Gibson’s death, according to police.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abnegate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abnegate. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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