1
as in withdrawing
to break a promise or agreement
my so-called best friend promised to help me move, only to renege come Saturday morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in renouncing
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
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 reneging
The New York Times reported that Mamdani had vowed to back Espaillat, and was now reneging on that commitment.
—
Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2026
Everlane has been criticized before for reneging on its commitment to transparency when convenient.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 20 May 2026
Musk is accusing Altman of ‘robbing a charity,’ by reneging on OpenAI’s original non profit mission.
—Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
The lawsuit filed last month by Moriarty and the state accuses the federal government of reneging on its promise to cooperate with state investigations after the surge of some 3,000 federal law enforcement officers into Minnesota.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
The lawsuit accuses the federal government of reneging on its promise to cooperate with state investigations after the surge of around 3,000 federal law enforcement officers into Minnesota.
—Mark Vancleave, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
The mayor of Hammond, Indiana, says train company Norfolk Southern is reneging on a promise to partly finance the construction of a pedestrian overpass at a dangerous rail crossing that was the subject of a ProPublica investigation.
—Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 25 Mar. 2026
The lawsuit accuses Shell of reneging on a deal involving a TV show but tells a much broader story of the government influencing Paramount’s business dealings.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 17 Mar. 2026
Kallas said reneging on that goes against EU treaties.
—Sam McNeil, Arkansas Online, 24 Feb. 2026
Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2026
Everlane has been criticized before for reneging on its commitment to transparency when convenient.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 20 May 2026
Musk is accusing Altman of ‘robbing a charity,’ by reneging on OpenAI’s original non profit mission.
—Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
The lawsuit filed last month by Moriarty and the state accuses the federal government of reneging on its promise to cooperate with state investigations after the surge of some 3,000 federal law enforcement officers into Minnesota.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
The lawsuit accuses the federal government of reneging on its promise to cooperate with state investigations after the surge of around 3,000 federal law enforcement officers into Minnesota.
—Mark Vancleave, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
The mayor of Hammond, Indiana, says train company Norfolk Southern is reneging on a promise to partly finance the construction of a pedestrian overpass at a dangerous rail crossing that was the subject of a ProPublica investigation.
—Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 25 Mar. 2026
The lawsuit accuses Shell of reneging on a deal involving a TV show but tells a much broader story of the government influencing Paramount’s business dealings.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 17 Mar. 2026
Kallas said reneging on that goes against EU treaties.
—Sam McNeil, Arkansas Online, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reneging
Verb
-
Carlos Alcaraz isn’t in the tournament after withdrawing because of a wrist injury.—
Dan Zaksheske,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
Depending on the circumstances, you may be restricted from withdrawing funds, making purchases with your debit card, transferring money or paying bills.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The program calls for the recognition of Israel and renouncing armed struggle, effectively sidelining Hamas and other factions.—
SAM METZ,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The program calls for the recognition of Israel and renouncing armed struggle, effectively sidelining Hamas and other factions.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Check It Out, 2022, consists of an educational program on anger management that plays on a spherical red television set recalling a space helmet.—
Theo Belci,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
So for now, the Tigers cling to faint hope, recalling their incredible run in the final two months of 2024.—
Levi Weaver,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The Stärke’s Gen 2 retains all of this, down to the parking sensors and power-retracting soft top.—
Peter Nelson,
Robb Report,
27 May 2026
-
Eveningside’s smaller arms holding on to the chains while Morningside’s longer arms propelled them, her fists and excess joints braced against the ground; their span lengthening, extending and retracting in the girls’ to and fro.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Before backing out of the driveway, check the hoses, the belts, and the tires.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
The Chargers reminded Baltimore of the Ravens backing out of their trade with the Raiders for Maxx Crosby.—
Teresa M. Walker,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Building such strategic trust doesn’t require an elimination of differences or denying competition, Lam said.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
-
The reassurances by his spouse and his aides denying that the 81-year-old president was suffering from cognitive decline wouldn't be enough.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon isn’t backing down from her opinion that a short guard can’t lead a team to an NBA title, even after what Jalen Brunson did Monday night.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
-
Several families have filed lawsuits against the Eastlands, who for months forged ahead with plans to reopen before ultimately backing down.—
Jim Vertuno,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Horn said in a news release on Monday that plans to create a new ban showed that repealing the original version was unnecessary.—
Dylan Lysen
June 2,
Kansas City Star,
2 June 2026
-
Of course, none of this involves repealing the laws of physics.—
David Szondy
May 31,
New Atlas,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reneging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reneging. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
