1
as in to relinquish
to give up (as a position of authority) formally
abnegated all claims to the deceased lord's domain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to renounce
to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)
felt that if the Congress adopted these security measures, it would be abnegating the nation's fundamental commitment to individual rights
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abnegate
Her sins are the sins of loving too much and in too self-abnegating a fashion.
—
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2023
Abnegating this responsibility is going against the will of the people and we were voted in to protect the interests of the people.
—Jan Engoren, Sun-Sentinel.com, 6 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abnegate
Verb
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As Buffett relinquishes the helm, investors are increasingly focused on what disappears with him.—
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More typically, the figures in Marshall’s art are haunted by a past that refuses to relinquish its tenacious hold.—
Verb
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Margaret’s father succeeded him as King George VI, and her mother Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, never forgave the duke for renouncing his duty to his country.—
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Ukraine withdrawing from all of the Donbas, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, and Kyiv officially renouncing its aim to join NATO.—
Verb
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The United States, in other words, is not just abdicating its role in the current international system.—
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The family's fate changed when King Edward VIII abdicated in 1936 and his younger brother acceded to the throne, putting the firstborn Princess Elizabeth on the path to reign one day.—
Verb
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Former North Crowley standout Ka’Morreun Pimpton also withdrew his name from the portal Sunday.—
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) withdrew its troops last week following a deadline from Saudi Arabia.—
Verb
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Days later, another member of the finance team, Carrie Truver, resigned.—
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Meanwhile, county leaders, including Executive Bob Cassilly, are calling for the superintendent to resign or be terminated.—
Verb
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De Blasio responded with shock, demanding The Times retract the story.—
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The Democrat has since faced calls from Republicans to drop out of the state attorney general race, though many Democrats and his corporate donors have not retracted their support.—
Verb
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He was charged with first-degree murder but denied any involvement.—
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Squeeze Burger announced Tuesday that its sole remaining brick-and-mortar in Roseville is set to close later this month, after its proposal for a new lease was reportedly denied.—
Cite this Entry
“Abnegate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abnegate. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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