renege

[ ri-nig, -neg, -neeg ]

verb (used without object)

, re·neged, re·neg·ing.

1. Cards. to play a card that is not of the suit led when one can follow suit; break a rule of play.
2. to go back on one's word:

   He has reneged on his promise.

verb (used with object)

, re·neged, re·neg·ing.

1. Archaic. to deny; disown; renounce.

noun

1. Cards. an act or instance of reneging.

renege

/ -ˈneɪɡ; rɪˈniːɡ /

verb

1. introften foll byon to go back (on one's promise, etc)

verb

1. cards other words for revoke

Derived Forms

• reˈneger, noun

Other Words From

• re·neger noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of renege¹

1540–50; earlier renegue < Medieval Latin renegāre, equivalent to re- re- + negāre to deny ( negative )

Word History and Origins

Origin of renege¹

C16 (in the sense: to deny, renounce): from Medieval Latin renegāre to renounce; see renegade

Example Sentences

The current Tory critics accuse the PM of reneging on promises made in opposition to get tougher on China over its human rights abuses.

From BBC

Trump may face pressure not to renege on commitments to cut greenhouse gas pollution from other unexpected places.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s because he reneged on his 2020 campaign promise to be a transitional president and pass the torch to a younger generation.

From Los Angeles Times

Jeffrey Goldberg reported in The Atlantic that Trump reneged on a promise to help pay for the funeral of a Hispanic soldier murdered at Fort Sill.

From Salon

Some questioned whether Labour had reneged on its manifesto pledge not to raise taxes including National Insurance.

From BBC

Related Words

• back out
• default on
• go back
• go back on one's word
• pull out
• retract
• reverse