abdicate

[ ab-di-keyt ]

verb (used without object)

, ab·di·cat·ed, ab·di·cat·ing.

1. to renounce or relinquish a throne, right, power, claim, responsibility, or the like, especially in a formal manner:

   The aging founder of the firm decided to abdicate.

   Synonyms: quit, resign

verb (used with object)

, ab·di·cat·ed, ab·di·cat·ing.

1. to give up or renounce (authority, duties, an office, etc.), especially in a voluntary, public, or formal manner:

   King Edward VIII of England abdicated the throne in 1936.

   Synonyms: repudiate, abandon

abdicate

/ ˈæbdɪˌkeɪt; ˈæbdɪkəbəl; æbˈdɪkətɪv /

verb

1. to renounce (a throne, power, responsibility, rights, etc), esp formally

Derived Forms

• abdicative, adjective
• abdicable, adjective
• ˈabdiˌcator, noun
• ˌabdiˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• ab·di·ca·ble [ab, -di-k, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• ab·di·ca·tive [ab, -di-key-tiv, -k, uh, -], adjective
• abdi·cator noun
• non·abdi·cative adjective
• un·abdi·cated adjective
• un·abdi·cating adjective
• un·abdi·cative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abdicate¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin abdicāt(us) “renounced,” past participle of abdicāre “to renounce,” from ab- ab- + dicāre “to indicate, consecrate”

Word History and Origins

Origin of abdicate¹

C16: from the past participle of Latin abdicāre to proclaim away, disclaim

Example Sentences

In April, he announced his position to “leave it to the states,” in essence abdicating a strong stance on abortion access.

From Los Angeles Times

The legislature voluntarily, nay, eagerly, abdicated its responsibility when it could have used skepticism and restraint.

From Salon

So, in the first major tournament since the retiring Murray abdicated, it feels apt Draper has enjoyed the best Grand Slam run of his career.

From BBC

Former First Lady Melania Trump, who has largely abdicated her public role since her husband left the Oval Office, will not speak at the Republican National Convention as Donald Trump accepts his presidential nomination.

From Salon

He said the government also abdicated its responsibility by allowing the building of houses on land near rivers and swamps.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• forgo
• relinquish
• renounce
• step down
• vacate