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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Many of his former supporters have renounced him. He renounced his old way of life.
Recent Examples on the Web For decades after Wyoming held its first election that saw women vote, federal law held that any Indigenous person looking to cast a ballot needed to renounce their tribal citizenship and apply for an U.S. one, despite being born on U.S. soil. 
AZCentral.com, 23 Aug. 2022 Figure 2) Krishna has yet to explicitly renounce IBM’s MSV heritage. Steve Denning, Forbes, 25 July 2022 Sosa’s mother and her siblings had to renounce after migrating north — the yearning for home that the director herself inherited — and what Julián himself wants his humble legacy to be once he’s departed. Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2022 She was persuaded to renounce her claim and to sign an N.D.A., in exchange for a million dollars. Ken Auletta, The New Yorker, 30 May 2022 McCarthy wasn't the only senior Republican to renounce his heresy on the road to the midterms. Stephen Collinson, CNN, 6 Jan. 2022 Even the most zealous attempts to renounce ubiquitous technologies devolve into rationalization and the invention of creative loopholes. Wired, 28 July 2022 Republican leaders must renounce and reject these views and those who hold them. CBS News, 22 May 2022 Members of other religious minority groups face being detained, arrested, and forced to renounce their faith. Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 3 June 2022 See More
AZCentral.com, 23 Aug. 2022 Figure 2) Krishna has yet to explicitly renounce IBM’s MSV heritage. Steve Denning, Forbes, 25 July 2022 Sosa’s mother and her siblings had to renounce after migrating north — the yearning for home that the director herself inherited — and what Julián himself wants his humble legacy to be once he’s departed. Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2022 She was persuaded to renounce her claim and to sign an N.D.A., in exchange for a million dollars. Ken Auletta, The New Yorker, 30 May 2022 McCarthy wasn't the only senior Republican to renounce his heresy on the road to the midterms. Stephen Collinson, CNN, 6 Jan. 2022 Even the most zealous attempts to renounce ubiquitous technologies devolve into rationalization and the invention of creative loopholes. Wired, 28 July 2022 Republican leaders must renounce and reject these views and those who hold them. CBS News, 22 May 2022 Members of other religious minority groups face being detained, arrested, and forced to renounce their faith. Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 3 June 2022 See More 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-ˈnau̇ns
renounced; renouncing
1
: to give up, abandon, or resign usually by a public declaration
The queen renounced the throne.
2
: to refuse to follow, obey, or recognize any longer
They renounced the goals of the organization.
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
renounce
verb
1
as in to relinquish
to give up (as a position of authority) formally in wake of the corruption scandal, the congressman was forced to renounce his seat in the House Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- relinquish
- resign
- abdicate
- cede
- deny
- surrender
- abnegate
- abjure
- waive
- disavow
- disown
- forsake
- vacate
- abandon
- disclaim
- demit
- step down (from)
- step aside (from)
- yield
- desert
- hand over
- give up
- quit
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- claim
- assume
- confiscate
- seize
- defend
- protect
- appropriate
- arrogate
- usurp
- safeguard
- secure
- take over
- wrest
- guard
2
as in to withdraw
to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to) after another failed romance he vowed that he was renouncing the world and becoming a monk Synonyms & Similar Words
- withdraw
- retract
- deny
- relinquish
- contradict
- forswear
- abjure
- abandon
- refute
- recant
- repudiate
- repeal
- foreswear
- renege
- take back
- unsay
- abnegate
- disavow
- forsake
- disown
- spurn
- disclaim
- surrender
- recall
- revoke
- gainsay
- negate
- disprove
- controvert
- dispute
- rebut
- negative
- disallow
- back down
- backtrack
- give up
- bolt
- disagree (with)
- back off
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- declare
- acknowledge
- maintain
- assert
- affirm
- claim
- proclaim
- admit
- contend
- defend
- accept
- maintain
- profess
- state
- adhere (to)
- support
- endorse
- adopt
- uphold
- confirm
- embrace
- vow
- avow
- vouch
- back
- espouse
- indorse
Synonym Chooser
The words abdicate and resign are common synonyms of renounce. While all three words mean "to give up a position with no possibility of resuming it," renounce may replace it but often implies additionally a sacrifice for a greater end.
renounced her inheritance by marrying a commoner
Although the words abdicate and renounce have much in common, abdicate implies a giving up of sovereign power or sometimes an evading of responsibility such as that of a parent.
abdicated the throne
While in some cases nearly identical to renounce, resign applies to the giving up of an unexpired office or trust.
resigned from the board