Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Abdicate

//ˈæb.dɪˌkeɪt// verb

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To disclaim and expel from the family, as a father his child; to disown; to disinherit. obsolete, transitive
  2. 2
    give up, such as power, as of monarchs and emperors, or duties and obligations wordnet
  3. 3
    To formally separate oneself from or to divest oneself of. obsolete, reflexive, transitive
  4. 4
    To depose. obsolete, transitive
  5. 5
    To reject; to cast off; to discard. obsolete, transitive

    "[W]e were legally call'd by his Majeſties writ to give our Attendance in Parliament, […] if we did not, we ſhould betray the Truſt committed to us by his Majeſtie, and ſhamefully betray and abdicate the due right both of our ſelves and Succeſſours."

Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    To surrender, renounce or relinquish, as sovereign power; to withdraw definitely from filling or exercising, as a high office, station, dignity; to fail to fulfill responsibility for. transitive

    "to abdicate the throne, the crown, the papacy"

  2. 7
    To relinquish or renounce a throne, or other high office or dignity; to renounce sovereignty. intransitive

    "Though a king may abdicate for his own person, he cannot abdicate for the monarchy."

Etymology

First attested in 1532; borrowed from Latin abdicātus (“renounced”), perfect passive participle of abdicō (“to renounce, reject, disclaim”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), formed from ab (“away”) + dicō (“proclaim, dedicate, declare”), akin to dīcō (“to say”). Compare Middle English abdicat (“forsaken, renounced”).

See also for "abdicate"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: abdicate