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

“The Kaiser must abdicate, otherwise we shall have the revolution,” he was told.

From Literature

King Edward VIII’s 1936 decision to abdicate the throne for love hangs over all the star-crossed royal romances that follow.

From New York Times

The British maintained their presence with figures like Edward VIII, the King who abdicated for love, and songwriters like Noël Coward.

From Salon

There's a lot of speculation over who might take over in her stead as Lakshmi abdicates her throne.

From Salon

Her uncle, Edward VIII, abdicated in 1936, disrupting the normal order of succession; her father, George VI, succeeded him but died 16 years later at the age of 56, propelling Elizabeth onto the throne.

From New York Times

Related Words

• forgo
• relinquish
• renounce
• step down
• vacate