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View synonyms for abdicate

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

/ ˈæbdɪkəbəl; ˈæbdɪˌkeɪt; æbˈdɪkətɪv /

verb

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


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Derived Forms

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

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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

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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”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of abdicate1

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

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Example Sentences

To do any less would abdicate our responsibility as Christians to live the Gospel in public life by advancing the good of all people, especially those on the margins.

Major countries such as the US abdicate leadership on climate action as emissions rise, and temperatures soar to searing levels.

From Quartz

His decision to abdicate saved the church from one messy situation — being governed by a weakened octo- or nonagenarian.

Yet their triumph was short-lived, with Álvarez abdicating the presidency after only 68 days.

After Republicans abdicated their responsibility to discipline Greene, as they did in 2019 after then-Rep.

A palace insider however insisted to the Daily Beast today that the Queen was not about to abdicate.

Juan Carlos is the second European monarch to abdicate in just over a year.

Much like the British monarchy, when the current Aga Khan is ready to abdicate his post, he will personally choose a successor.

In recent decades it has become the tradition for the monarch to abdicate.

The Founding Fathers must never have imagined, however, that we would abdicate that responsibility for a quick buck.

Don't you suspect an intrigue on the part of the King's brothers to get the poor man to abdicate?

"Abdicate or reign," said Albert in a low voice to the queen, who stood motionless and thoughtful.

Experience and reason are once for all made supreme, and henceforth refuse to share their throne or abdicate in favor of faith.

On December 2, it was announced that Emperor Ferdinand had resolved to abdicate his throne.

He had done well to abdicate, and were the crisis to recur, he would not act otherwise.

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