abdicate
Americanverb (used without object)
-
abdicates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
abdicated,
past participle, past
-
abdicating
present participle
verb (used with object)
-
abdicates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
abdicated,
past participle, past
-
abdicating
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
abdicationnoun
-
abdicatornoun
-
abdicableadjective
-
abdicativeadjective
-
nonabdicativeadjective
-
unabdicatedadjective
-
unabdicatingadjective
-
unabdicativeadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
abdicatesimple
-
abdicatessimple
-
have abdicatedperfect
-
has abdicatedperfect
-
am abdicatingprogressive
-
are abdicatingprogressive
-
is abdicatingprogressive
-
have been abdicatingperfect progressive
-
has been abdicatingperfect progressive
Past
-
abdicatedsimple
-
had abdicatedperfect
-
was abdicatingprogressive
-
were abdicatingprogressive
-
had been abdicatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of abdicate
First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin abdicāt(us) “renounced,” past participle of abdicāre “to renounce,” from ab- ab- + dicāre “to indicate, consecrate”
Explanation
Sometimes someone in power might decide to give up that power and step down from his or her position. When they do that, they abdicate their authority, giving up all duties and perks of the job. The original meaning of the verb abdicate came from the combination of the Latin ab- "away" and dicare "proclaim." (Note that in the charming relationships between languages with common roots, the Spanish word for "he says" is dice, which comes directly from dicare.) The word came to refer to disowning one's children, and it wasn't until the 17th century that the first use of the word relating to giving up power or public office was recorded.
Vocabulary lists containing abdicate
The Declaration of Independence
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 Top "SAT" Words
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
You Can Say That Again: Dic and Dict
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Any coach who says “I don’t want to know” where a transfer lives to escape accountability might want to start realizing an entire program can go down when they abdicate responsibility.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2026
It is that we will allow the creators of the software to abdicate human responsibility for the systems they choose to build and help them pull up the ladder to market access behind them.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
In 2006, when a popular uprising forced the king to abdicate, Thapa was already a prominent figure in the pro-democracy movement and had been jailed several times for his role in street protests.
From Barron's ● Feb. 27, 2026
Yet sometimes miracles happen, and Senates don’t entirely abdicate their constitutional advice and consent roles.
From Slate ● Oct. 4, 2025
Seven years and Cardan can step down, abdicate in Oak’s favor and do whatever he wants.
From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black
It may serve his interests by distracting and deflecting but abdicates presidential responsibility.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2025
An eccentric Danish queen abdicates - will others follow?
From BBC ● Jan. 14, 2024
There's a lot of speculation over who might take over in her stead as Lakshmi abdicates her throne.
From Salon ● Jun. 10, 2023
Better because it abdicates the throne of “is.”
From Slate ● May 14, 2019
Whenever he chooses, he abdicates, and must then join his other children in obeying the eldest son.
From Where Half The World Is Waking Up The Old and the New in Japan, China, the Philippines, and India, Reported With Especial Reference to American Conditions by Clarence Hamilton Poe
Executives say the looser rules will allow them to compete more in corners of lending they have largely abdicated because of the capital costs, like to riskier companies or private-equity firms striking deals.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026
There is something quietly ironic about expecting municipal leaders to serve as democratic guardrails when we have collectively abdicated our own responsibility in even the simplest level of civic participation.
From Salon ● Jan. 24, 2026
This was where she abdicated the throne in favour of her baby son, James VI.
From BBC ● Dec. 11, 2025
In the video, Juan Carlos also urged Spain to support his son Felipe VI, in whose favour he abdicated in 2014, "in this difficult task of uniting all Spaniards".
From Barron's ● Dec. 1, 2025
“You done abdicated my girl,” she howled, “but I’ll git her back. You watch!”
From "A Long Way from Chicago" by Richard Peck
“Do I recommend not getting involved? Yes,” she added, abdicating all responsibility for the safety of the neighborhood.
From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026
After abdicating, the Maharaja stirred more controversy by insisting on marrying an American woman against the will of his family and community.
From BBC ● Jan. 11, 2025
"She is abdicating her duty, and this is something that she needs to decide, not a jury. It's a question of law, not a question of fact."
From Salon ● Apr. 3, 2024
Margrethe is abdicating 52 years on the day after she ascended the throne following the death of her father, King Frederik IX.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 13, 2024
He wanted to lie down in this redolent field, curl up in the green womb in the dazzling aura of these mountains, growing warm and drowsy under the sun, abdicating all responsibilities—and sleep.
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
