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

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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

Examples 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 abdicate The risk of abdicating your leadership responsibility to the IT team is only the future of your company. —

Lisa Hale, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Years before, Grand Duke Jean inherited the throne when his mother, Grand Duchess Charlotte, abdicated in 1964. —

Janine Henni, People.com, 7 Oct. 2024 Any educator who engages in conduct of this nature abdicates their responsibility to our students and to our staff and represents a complete betrayal of the public trust. —

Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024 Wallis, an American, was twice divorced when King Edward VIII chose her over the British throne, abdicating on Dec. 11, 1936 and eventually marrying her the next year, on June 3, 1937. —

Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for abdicate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abdicate

Verb

In his heartbreak over the destruction of the natural world—and, thus, along with it, all other worlds there might be—Peter resigned himself to a belief, to the truth that there is nothing to be done to save us, that all is doomed and nothing really even matters.

Chris Wallace, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2024
But while several outlets had reported that Blanchard, who held numerous titles with Impact Wrestling, the brief rebranding of TNA, had resigned to the promotion, the wrestler denies it.

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024