ABDICATE Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'abdicate' distinct from other similar verbs?

The words renounce and resign are common synonyms of abdicate . While all three words 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

Q: In what contexts can 'renounce' take the place of 'abdicate'?

The synonyms renounce and abdicate are sometimes interchangeable, but renounce may replace it but often implies additionally a sacrifice for a greater end. // renounced her inheritance by marrying a commoner

Q: When would 'resign' be a good substitute for 'abdicate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to abdicate , resign applies to the giving up of an unexpired office or trust. // resigned from the board

abdicate

verb

ˈab-di-ˌkāt

Definition of abdicate next

as in to resign

to give up (as a position of authority) formally the revolutionary government forced Nicholas II to abdicate the Russian throne

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word abdicate distinct from other similar verbs?

The words renounce and resign are common synonyms of abdicate. While all three words 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

In what contexts can renounce take the place of abdicate?

The synonyms renounce and abdicate are sometimes interchangeable, but renounce may replace it but often implies additionally a sacrifice for a greater end.

renounced her inheritance by marrying a commoner

When would resign be a good substitute for abdicate?

While in some cases nearly identical to abdicate, resign applies to the giving up of an unexpired office or trust.

resigned from the board

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of abdicate He’s abdicated that role to Martinez, at least until the end of the school year, when Martinez will be fired per the earlier action of Johnson’s school board and the terms of Martinez’s employment contract. —

The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025 But a rash of executive actions signed by Trump on Monday night raised alarm among Democrats that the U.S. was already abdicating its role to China — withdrawing from the World Health Organization and pausing all U.S. development assistance for three months pending reviews. —

Laura Kelly, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025 The new town square Meta is not entirely abdicating responsibility for what appears on its platforms. —

The Staff Of The Morning, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025 House Republicans are abdicating their responsibility to the American people and siding with billionaires and special interests. —

Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for abdicate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abdicate

Verb

The reality is even tighter: House Republicans already have two vacancies, created by former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who resigned at the end of last year, and former Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., who joined the Trump administration as national security advisor.

— Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025
The documentary also featured Steve Bannon, Rudy Giuliani, and Michael Flynn, who resigned in 2017 over false statements about talks with Russia's ambassador.

— Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025