renounce

verb

re·​nounce ri-ˈnau̇n(t)s 

renounced; renouncing

transitive verb

1

: to give up, refuse, or resign usually by formal declaration

renounce his errors

2

: to refuse to follow, obey, or recognize any further : repudiate

renounce the authority of the church

intransitive verb

1

: to make a renunciation

2

: to fail to follow suit in a card game

renouncement

ri-ˈnau̇n(t)s-mənt 

noun

renouncer noun

Synonyms

• abdicate
• abnegate
• cede
• relinquish
• resign
• step aside (from)
• step down (from)
• surrender

Choose the Right Synonym for renounce

abdicate, renounce, resign mean to give up a position with no possibility of resuming it.

abdicate implies a giving up of sovereign power or sometimes an evading of responsibility such as that of a parent.

abdicated the throne

renounce may replace it but often implies additionally a sacrifice for a greater end.

renounced her inheritance by marrying a commoner

resign applies to the giving up of an unexpired office or trust.

resigned from the board

abjure, renounce, forswear, recant, retract mean to withdraw one's word or professed belief.

abjure implies a firm and final rejecting or abandoning often made under oath.

abjured the errors of his former faith

renounce may carry the meaning of disclaim or disown.

renounced abstract art and turned to portrait painting

forswear may add an implication of perjury or betrayal.

I cannot forswear my principles

recant stresses the withdrawing or denying of something professed or taught.

if they recant they will be spared

retract applies to the withdrawing of a promise, an offer, or an accusation.

the newspaper had to retract the story

Examples of renounce in a Sentence

Many of his former supporters have renounced him.

He renounced his old way of life.

Recent Examples on the Web

On June 14, 2024, Putin said Ukraine must also renounce any plans to join NATO. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025

While the headlines are filled with stories of companies scaling back or renouncing DEI efforts, more may be following Costco’s playbook. —Megan Poinski, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025

Like the kamikaze pilots in the same story, whose deaths lost their sacred meaning once Emperor Hirohito renounced his divinity after the war, the plotters in 1936 worshipped not a man but a deity. —Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025

In many Muslim lands, renouncing Islam can bring severe punishment, sometimes even death. —Fatjona Mejdini, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French renuncer, from Latin renuntiare, from re- + nuntiare to report, from nuntius messenger

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

renounce

verb

re·​nounce ri-ˈnau̇n(t)s 

renounced; renouncing

1

: to give up, refuse, or resign usually by public declaration

renounced the throne

2

: to refuse to follow, obey, or recognize any further : repudiate

renounced the authority of her political party

renouncement

-ˈnau̇n(t)-smənt 

noun

renouncer noun

Legal Definition

renounce

verb

re·​nounce ri-ˈnau̇ns 

renounced; renouncing

transitive verb

1

: to announce one's abandonment or giving up of a right to or interest in : disclaim sense 1

renounce an inheritance

2

: to refuse to follow, obey, or recognize any further

renounce allegiance to one's country

intransitive verb

: to make a renunciation