abdication

[ ab-di-key-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or state of abdicating; renunciation.

Other Words From

• nonab·di·cation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abdication¹

First recorded in 1545–55, abdication is from the Latin word abdicātiōn- (stem of abdicātiō ). See abdicate, -ion

Example Sentences

It encourages the abdication of our duty to remain informed about what people in power are doing or intend to do with or to us.

From Salon

The works taken are of the late Queen Elizabeth II and of Margrethe II, who was Queen of Denmark until her abdication earlier this year.

From BBC

Lewis said he knew that some readers would view the enforced neutrality as an "abdication of responsibility" before painting it as a return to the paper's mission.

From Salon

We recognize that this will be read in a range of ways, including as a tacit endorsement of one candidate, or as a condemnation of another, or as an abdication of responsibility.

From Salon

Some days he fears they’re too late to make a difference, but more often, he realizes that such thinking is an abdication of responsibility.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abandonment