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 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 In 2021, Princess Mako, the niece of the emperor and eldest child of Crown Prince Ashikino and Crown Princess Kiko, renounced her royal titles and left the imperial family in order to marry her college sweetheart, Kei Komuro. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for renounce

Recent Examples of Synonyms for renounce

Verb

Goss voluntarily relinquished his Missouri law license and surrendered his right to practice law in Kansas.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026
During her tenure, Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava relinquished their titles; Voigt had accused Rose of a toxic workplace culture.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of relinquish

Verb

The defendants’ decision not to question a witness did not amount to carrying out the agreements, the government argued, because the agreements did not require that action and the defendants had not withdrawn their pending motions.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026
Iran’s parliament is debating a bill to withdraw from the NPT, according to Iranian lawmakers.

— Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of withdraw

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

During a month in detention, Khan was denied access to medications for hypothyroidism, high blood pressure and glaucoma, according to testimony by her daughter, Riya Khan.

— Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
He was then kept at Palace the following season playing just eight times, being denied the opportunity for a temporary move away, before playing 36 times for Sheffield United in the Championship in 2024-25, scoring seven times.

— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of deny

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renews

renounce

renounced

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“Renounce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/renounce. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of renounce

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