Synonyms of renounce

renounce

verb

ri-ˈnau̇n(t)s 

1

as in to relinquish

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 & Similar Words

• relinquish
• resign
• abdicate
• cede
• deny
• surrender
• waive
• abnegate
• step down (from)
• abjure
• disavow
• vacate
• disown
• step aside (from)
• abandon
• forsake
• disclaim
• demit
• yield
• give up
• hand over
• desert
• quit

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• claim
• assume
• appropriate
• seize
• protect
• confiscate
• defend
• arrogate
• take over
• secure
• usurp
• safeguard
• guard
• wrest

2

as in to withdraw

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 & Similar Words

• withdraw
• retract
• deny
• contradict
• relinquish
• abandon
• forswear
• refute
• abjure
• recant
• repeal
• repudiate
• foreswear
• renege
• take back
• abnegate
• forsake
• disavow
• unsay
• disown
• spurn
• recall
• disclaim
• revoke
• gainsay
• surrender
• negate
• disprove
• controvert
• disagree (with)
• rebut
• dispute
• negative
• disallow
• give up
• back down
• backtrack
• back off
• bolt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• maintain
• declare
• acknowledge
• claim
• assert
• admit
• affirm
• contend
• adhere (to)
• proclaim
• state
• defend
• profess
• support
• accept
• confirm
• endorse
• adopt
• uphold
• vow
• embrace
• avow
• back
• vouch
• indorse
• espouse

Synonym Chooser

How is the word renounce distinct from other similar verbs?

The words abdicate and resign are common synonyms of renounce. While all three words mean "to give up a position with no possibility of resuming it," renounce may replace it but often implies additionally a sacrifice for a greater end.

renounced her inheritance by marrying a commoner

When could abdicate be used to replace renounce?

Although the words abdicate and renounce have much in common, abdicate implies a giving up of sovereign power or sometimes an evading of responsibility such as that of a parent.

abdicated the throne

When is it sensible to use resign instead of renounce?

While in some cases nearly identical to renounce, resign applies to the giving up of an unexpired office or trust.

resigned from the board

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of renounce

Iran, of course, never had the slightest interest in renouncing domestic mastery of the entire nuclear-fuel cycle. —John R. Bolton, The Atlantic, 9 July 2025

Rather than coddle terrorists, all concerned parties should work to remove Hamas and establish a governing authority in Gaza—whether indigenous or imposed—that poses no threat to anyone, renounces terrorism, and seeks to live in peace. —Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025

Ray plead guilty to King’s murder, but later renounced that plea and maintained his innocence until his death in 1998. —Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 22 July 2025

However, Edward stepping down from being monarch, choosing love over duty to the crown, was far from the first instance of a royal renouncing their title. —Alex Apatoff, People.com, 15 July 2025