1
as in to withdraw
to break a promise or agreement
my so-called best friend promised to help me move, only to renege come Saturday morning
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2
as in to retract
to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)
refused to renege the principles by which she had always lived her life, even if it resulted in losing her business
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Recent Examples of renege
Under the framework, Hong Kong was promised a large degree of legal and economic autonomy—a commitment Beijing was accused of reneging on through its crackdown on democracy and adoption of the draconian National Security Law in 2020.
—
Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
The news of the investigation into Montoya came only weeks after the club reneged on the hiring of its scouting director, who was accused of verbally abusing his players at his previous stop, and risked derailing the momentum built while making an unexpected playoff appearance in its first season.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2025
The only one that has been authorized by the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) was for community usage in Utah, but the community reneged on the deal because the price was 50% higher than agreed to (admittedly there were delays in approvals).
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Make sure all agreements are set in writing Debt collection agencies are notorious for not keeping a record of payment agreements or even reneging on them.
—Staff, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for renege
Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
The news of the investigation into Montoya came only weeks after the club reneged on the hiring of its scouting director, who was accused of verbally abusing his players at his previous stop, and risked derailing the momentum built while making an unexpected playoff appearance in its first season.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2025
The only one that has been authorized by the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) was for community usage in Utah, but the community reneged on the deal because the price was 50% higher than agreed to (admittedly there were delays in approvals).
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Make sure all agreements are set in writing Debt collection agencies are notorious for not keeping a record of payment agreements or even reneging on them.
—Staff, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for renege
Recent Examples of Synonyms for renege
Verb
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Rather than a gradual strengthening of local capacity as a way of reimagining how the global development industry operates, the Trump administration’s proposals simply withdraw federal support.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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American Airlines withdrew its 2025 earnings forecast on Thursday, citing growing economic uncertainty.—
Kate Marijolovic,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The paper has since been discredited by health experts, retracted from the journal in which it was published, and its primary author, Andrew Wakefield, lost his medical license.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2025
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And the rear decklid spoiler extends and retracts at 45 miles an hour—but that’s customizable, as with everything on the car, in the same vein as a 911 restomod from Singer Vehicle Design.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Friend recalls Read behavior, finding O'Keefe's body O'Keefe's friend, Kerry Roberts, recounted Read's behavior on the morning his body was found.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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Isaacs recalled on Monday's edition of The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Eventually, in 2019, the Business Round Table realized that business based totally on the self-interest of short-term profits was untenable and officially renounced it.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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In this telling, the blood of Christian martyrs facing lions rather than renouncing their faith eventually transformed the Roman empire.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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After initially making a deal with Davis — agreeing to get Cap to sell in exchange for getting him out of prison — Yancy officially backs out of the deal, losing out on $22 million in order to retain the ranch and his relationship with Ellie.—
Francesca Gariano,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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Another recruiter tests job seekers on responsibility, asking them to go back out the front door and come in the back through the kitchen.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The state also was denied an emergency order to block Musk’s exercise of sweeping power over the federal budget.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2025
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Chemicals at the port were suspected to have fueled the explosion, but the exact cause was not clear and Iran's Defence Ministry denied international media reports that the blast may be linked to the mishandling of solid fuel used for missiles.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But the financial and stock markets have not fully recovered from rising fears around the globe that Trump will not back down from slapping higher levies on foreign nations.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Apr. 2025
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Many business owners back down at the first sign of conflict, undermining their credibility.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Renege.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/renege. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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