Thesaurus

renounce

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of renounce

1 to give up (as a position of authority) formally

in wake of the corruption scandal, the congressman was forced to renounce his seat in the House

Synonyms of renounce

abdicate, abnegate, cede, relinquish, resign, step aside (from), step down (from), surrender

Words Related to renounce

abjure, demit, deny, disavow, disclaim, disown, waive

forsake, give up, hand over, yield

abandon, desert, quit, vacate

Near Antonyms of renounce

appropriate, arrogate, assume, claim, confiscate

seize, take over, usurp, wrest

defend, guard, protect, safeguard, secure

2 to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)

after another failed romance he vowed that he was renouncing the world and becoming a monk

Synonyms of renounce

abjure, abnegate, forswear (also foreswear), recant, renege, repeal, repudiate, retract, take back, unsay, withdraw

Words Related to renounce

contradict, deny, disavow, disclaim, disown, gainsay, negate, negative

abandon, bolt, forsake, give up, relinquish, spurn, surrender

controvert, disagree (with), disprove, dispute, rebut, refute

back down, back off, backtrack

disallow, recall, revoke

Near Antonyms of renounce

acknowledge, admit, affirm, assert, avow, claim, contend, declare, maintain, proclaim, profess, state, vouch, vow

back, confirm, defend, endorse (also indorse), espouse, maintain, support, uphold

accept, adopt, embrace

Antonyms of renounce

Synonym Discussion of renounce

abdicate, renounce, resign mean to give up a position with no possibility of resuming it. abdicate implies a giving up of sovereign power or sometimes an evading of responsibility such as that of a parent.

- abdicated the throne

renounce may replace it but often implies additionally a sacrifice for a greater end.

- renounced her inheritance by marrying a commoner

resign applies to the giving up of an unexpired office or trust.

- resigned from the board

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