abdicate

[ab-di-keyt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR abdicate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), ab·di·cat·ed, ab·di·cat·ing.

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.

verb (used with object), ab·di·cat·ed, ab·di·cat·ing.

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.

Origin of abdicate

1535–45; < Latin abdicātus renounced (past participle of abdicāre), equivalent to ab- ab- + dicātus proclaimed (dic- (see dictum) + -ātus -ate¹)

Related formsab·di·ca·ble

[ab-di-kuh-buhl] /ˈæb dɪ kə bəl/, adjectiveab·di·ca·tive

[ab-di-key-tiv, -kuh-] /ˈæb dɪˌkeɪ tɪv, -kə-/, adjectiveab·di·ca·tor, nounnon·ab·di·ca·tive, adjectiveun·ab·di·cat·ed, adjectiveun·ab·di·cat·ing, adjectiveun·ab·di·ca·tive, adjective

Can be confusedabdicate abrogate arrogate derogate

Synonyms for abdicate

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR abdicate ON THESAURUS.COM

1. resign, quit. 2. abandon, repudiate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for abdicate

relinquish, vacate, forgo, renounce, quit, retire, waive, cede, drop, resign, leave, abjure, yield, withdraw, abnegate, abandon, surrender, demit, quitclaim

Examples from the Web for abdicate

Contemporary Examples of abdicate

A palace insider however insisted to the Daily Beast today that the Queen was not about to abdicate.
Could The Queen Abdicate on Christmas Day?
Tom Sykes
December 17, 2014
Juan Carlos is the second European monarch to abdicate in just over a year.
Shock As King Juan Carlos of Spain Abdicates
Tom Sykes
June 2, 2014
Much like the British monarchy, when the current Aga Khan is ready to abdicate his post, he will personally choose a successor.
Model Kendra Spears Engaged to a Shi'a Prince
Misty White Sidell
April 30, 2013
In recent decades it has become the tradition for the monarch to abdicate.
Dutch Queen Abdicates
Tom Sykes
April 30, 2013

Historical Examples of abdicate

Here he held the famous council as to whether he should abdicate the Mexican throne or not.
Aztec Land
Maturin M. Ballou
You'd not do it again; or, if you did, not get Nap to abdicate.
Davenport Dunn, Volume 1 (of 2)
Charles James Lever
Whenever you like to rebel, I shall be just as ready to abdicate.
A Rent In A Cloud
Charles James Lever
The man might abdicate; but the magistrate was irremoveable.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.
Thomas Babington Macaulay
He was opposed to any negotiations for peace, and threatened to abdicate.
True to His Home
Hezekiah Butterworth

British Dictionary definitions for abdicate

abdicate

verb

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

Derived Formsabdicable (ˈæbdɪkəbəl), adjectiveabdication, nounabdicative (æbˈdɪkətɪv), adjectiveabdicator, noun

Word Origin for abdicate

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for abdicate

1540s, "to disown, disinherit (children)," from Latin abdicatus, past participle of abdicare "to disown, disavow, reject" (specifically abdicare magistratu "renounce office"), from ab- "away" (see ab-) + dicare "proclaim," from stem of dicere "to speak, to say" (see diction). Meaning "divest oneself of office" first recorded 1610s. Related: Abdicated; abdicating.