Definitions

renounce

[ri-nouns] / rɪˈnaʊns /

VERB

abandon, reject

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deny disavow discard disown eschew forgo forsake forswear give up quit recant relinquish repudiate spurn waive

STRONG

abdicate abjure abnegate arrogate decline defect desert disclaim dump rat resign tergiversate turn

WEAK

abstain from apostacize cast off demit divorce oneself from drop out leave flat leave off opt out sell out swear off take the pledge tergiverse throw off throw over toss over walk out on wash hands of

Antonyms

STRONGEST

acknowledge admit agree allow approve claim continue embrace keep revert

STRONG

accept hold maintain

WEAK

condone

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It will refuse to renounce the right to enrich uranium, as it did before, having proven it can survive.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 11, 2026

MPC pledged to "permanently renounce the use of arms" and "rejoin the political agreement for peace and reconciliation" that it signed in 2019 with 13 other armed groups, Wanzet said.

From Barron's • Nov. 21, 2025

She was trapped in a country not her own and hounded by police who were suspicious of her loyalty because she refused to renounce her American citizenship.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2025

Getting Prince Andrew to renounce the use of his titles, under the threat of forcibly taking them away, was an attempt to publicly show that the Palace was taking this seriously.

From BBC • Oct. 18, 2025

I tried and failed to imagine her, this woman who could after so many years renounce altogether her husband, break the bond that must surely have existed despite his long absences.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya

Vocabulary lists containing renounce

The New SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words

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Ender's Game

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Little Women

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