abdicate

[ab-di-keyt]

verb (used without object)

abdicated, abdicating 

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)

abdicated, abdicating 

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

Other Word Forms

• abdicative adjective
• abdicable adjective
• abdicator noun
• abdication noun
• nonabdicative adjective
• unabdicated adjective
• unabdicating adjective
• unabdicative 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 tax agency largely abdicated enforcing the amendment, the newsrooms previously reported.

From Salon

Republicans would likely say Democrats are abdicating their duty as elected officials and hindering flood relief bills lawmakers are expected to consider in response to the deadly July Fourth flooding in Central Texas.

From Salon

In recent years of flourishing disinformation ecosystems and broken social contracts, satirical journalism has taken up more than a bit of the work abdicated by legitimate outlets.

From Salon

It may serve his interests by distracting and deflecting but abdicates presidential responsibility.

From Los Angeles Times

Newsom took a shot at Johnson during his address, saying the speaker has “completely abdicated” his responsibility for Congress to serve as a check on the White House.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• forgo 
• relinquish 
• renounce 
• step down 
• vacate