Renege
verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Definitions
- 1 the mistake of not following suit when able to do so wordnet
- 1 To break a promise or commitment; to go back on one's word. intransitive
"Previously I promised not to proselytize miserism, but now I want to renege a little on that promise. If your family income is anywhere near average, you can scrimp and save and cut back for maybe two to four years […]"
- 2 fail to fulfill a promise or obligation wordnet
- 3 To break one's commitment to follow suit when capable. intransitive
- 4 To deny; to renounce archaic, transitive
"His captaines heart, / Which in the ſcuffles of great fights hath burſt / The Buckles on his breaſt, reneages all temper, / And is become the bellowes and the Fan / To coole a Gypſies Luſt."
Example
More examples"Previously I promised not to proselytize miserism, but now I want to renege a little on that promise. If your family income is anywhere near average, you can scrimp and save and cut back for maybe two to four years […]"
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin renegō, from negō (“I deny”). Possibly influenced by renegotiate. Doublet of renay. See also renegade.