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 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 What follows are dozens of examples of how those whose names are familiar (or aren’t) and legendary (or infamous) for their actions while representing the state have been embraced (or renounced) by the rest of the country and beyond. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for renounce

Recent Examples of Synonyms for renounce

Verb

There have been small changes to the ownership structures of Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the last decade but without control ever being relinquished.

— Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Panettiere's dual battle with postpartum depression and addiction influenced her decision to agree to relinquish custody of Kaya to her ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko.

— KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of relinquish

Verb

Being part of a dominant defense was one reason players like Camon withdrew from the NCAA transfer portal.

— Gerald Thomas III, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
The first clarifies that its PLX product does not provide law enforcement agencies with geolocation data, and the second says that the company has reached out to the complaint's authors to ask that the complaint against Penlink be withdrawn.

— Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of withdraw

Verb

Under the terms, Trustee Sue Harney has agreed to resign as the Mental Health Board president and Dundee Township Board liaison effective May 2027.

— Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
In 2024, the company wrapped a probe after auditor EY abruptly resigned mid-audit, concluding there was no evidence of fraud or misconduct.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of resign

Verb

Warren’s letter also questioned confusion about the FDA reporting that Taylor Farms’ lettuce had tested positive for Cyclospora, only to retract the claim the next day, calling it a false positive.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026
The myth that they’re somehow linked stems from a single report from England involving just a dozen children that was later found to be fraudulent and unethical and was forced to be retracted.

— Andrew D. Racine, STAT, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of retract

Verb

Akihito, who abdicated in 2019, tried to bring what was seen as an aloof monarchy closer to the people, an example followed by his son, Naruhito, and his family.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
This is what the impeachment process was designed for, to remove public officials abdicating their responsibilities.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of abdicate

Verb

New state data obtained by the I-Team shows that 46% of cancer claims that firefighters filed in Texas between January 2021 and April 2026 were denied.

— Ginger Allen, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Two Jets front-office sources, on condition of anonymity because they’re not authorized to speak publicly, deny that, and Glenn has owned the decisions publicly.

— Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of deny

Browse Nearby Words

renews

renounce

renounced

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“Renounce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/renounce. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of renounce

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