renege

verb

re·​nege ri-ˈneg 

 also  -ˈnāg,

-ˈnig;

rē- 

reneged; reneging

intransitive verb

1

: to go back on a promise or commitment

2

: revoke

3

obsolete : to make a denial

transitive verb

: deny, renounce

reneger noun

Synonyms

• back down
• back off
• back out
• cop out
• fink out

Examples of renege in a Sentence

They had promised to pay her tuition but later reneged.

my so-called best friend promised to help me move, only to renege come Saturday morning

Recent Examples on the Web

To sign Sasaki, the signing team might have to renege on one or more of those agreements. —Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024

As is well known, Moscow reneged on its commitments and rebuilt its ground, naval, and air short- and medium-range nuclear forces. —Madelyn Creedon, Foreign Affairs, 20 Nov. 2024

Then again, Trump could just cash out, reneging on his word and, in doing so, perhaps cementing a windfall large enough to solidify his position on The Forbes 400 for years to come. —Dan Alexander, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024

The claimants insist the institution reneged on Bredius’ initial conditions for making the gift, and should pay the consequences, reports The New York Times. —The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 27 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin renegare

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

renege

verb

re·​nege ri-ˈnig  -ˈneg 

-ˈnēg,

-ˈnāg

reneged; reneging

1

: deny

2

: to go back on a promise or agreement

reneged on paying the debt

reneger noun