RENOUNCE Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

renounce

verb

ri-ˈnau̇n(t)s

Definition of renounce

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 renounce Their virality comes at a time when the very generation that inspired them has largely renounced the label. — Margaux MacColl, Vanity Fair, 11 Aug. 2026 In these photographs, the maternal body enters spaces designed around seduction, aspiration, and idealized femininity without renouncing any of them. — Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026 China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. — Reuters, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2026 The 2019 Business Roundtable statement renouncing MSV changed rhetoric. — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for renounce

Recent Examples of Synonyms for renounce

Verb

Venus Venus will soon be relinquishing its dominance of the early evening sky.

— Joe Rao, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
While Velocity Arts is within the city’s service area, the Utilities Department may relinquish this area to Evergy or another third party provider to serve the project, according to city documents.

— Taylor O'Connor August 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of relinquish

Verb

When combined with a hot blanket of the humidity the city has endured throughout the summer, players could be forced to withdraw from their matches or push through, risking injury.

— Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
Although the proposal will remain on Thursday’s agenda because of the 72-hour posting requirement, Kayatta said it will effectively be withdrawn during the meeting with authorization from Board President Tara Jeane.

— Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of withdraw

Verb

This week, multiple deputies in the Hall County Sheriff's Office resigned amid ongoing Flock misuse investigations.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
Russini resigned from The Athletic in April, less than a week after photos of her and the married Vrabel, 51, at an Arizona hotel drew scrutiny.

— David K. Li, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of resign

Verb

The study was found to be fraudulent; eventually, it was retracted entirely.

— Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
So far, no cinema chains have seemingly gone along with the boycott (NewsCord falsely reported one was going to ban the film, then retracted the claim).

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of retract

Verb

The popular king modernized the royal house but refused to follow in the footsteps of other aging monarchs who have abdicated in recent times.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Around the same time, his former deputy private secretary suggested that Harald should abdicate at the egalitarian country's normal retirement age of 67.

— Terje Solsvik, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of abdicate

Verb

Anderson, who long had been considered a suspect in Shakur’s killing, denied involvement before his death in an unrelated Compton shooting in 1998 at age 23.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026
Edwards has denied the allegations, but ended his reelection bid after the House Ethics Committee posted their investigative findings last month.

— Claudia Grisales, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of deny

Browse Nearby Words

renews

renounce

renounced

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Renounce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/renounce. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of renounce

verb

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