abnegate

American  

[ab-ni-geyt] / ˈæb nɪˌgeɪt /

verb (used with object)

abnegated, abnegating

1. to refuse or deny oneself (some rights, conveniences, etc.); reject; renounce.

2. to relinquish; give up.

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abnegate British  

/ ˈæbnɪˌɡeɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to deny to oneself; renounce (privileges, pleasure, etc)

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Other Word Forms

• abnegation noun
• abnegator noun
• unabnegated adjective
• unabnegating adjective

Etymology

Origin of abnegate

1650–60; < Latin abnegātus denied (past participle of abnegāre ). See ab-, negate

Explanation

The verb abnegate means to deny or renounce something. Scientists abnegate the existence of little green spacemen from Mars. The verb abnegate also means to surrender a position of power. If you serve on too many committees, you may need to cut back. You could abnegate the treasurer position for P.T.A., in order to have more time to serve as president of Band Boosters. What's the difference between abnegate and abdicate? Both mean to renounce power or authority, but abdicate is usually reserved for higher offices of power. The king abdicates the throne. The CEO, who gives up day-to-day responsibility? He abnegates responsibility.

Example Sentences

“It is not the intention of the Myanmar government to apportion blame or to abnegate responsibility. We condemn all human rights violations and unlawful violence.”

From The Guardian • Mar. 16, 2018

Yet for true global ruination, many other nations would need to abnegate their moral obligation to protect the planet.

From Washington Post • Mar. 29, 2017

The compassion for the perpetrator should never abnegate the the requirement for justice to the victim.

From New York Times • Aug. 22, 2016

She spurns the doctrine that it is woman's position to abnegate and to immolate herself.

From The Salamander by Johnson, Owen

So futile a decision could not terminate the contest, and Clayborne continued to claim Kent Island, and to abnegate the authority of the proprietary of Maryland.

From History of the Colony and Ancient Dominion of Virginia by Campbell, Charles