abdicate

[ ab-di-keyt ]

/ ˈæb dɪˌkeɪt /

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See 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR abdicate

1 resign, quit.

2 abandon, repudiate.

See synonyms for abdicate on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of abdicate

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

OTHER WORDS FROM abdicate

ab·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, adjective

un·ab·di·cat·ed, adjectiveun·ab·di·cat·ing, adjectiveun·ab·di·ca·tive, adjective

Words nearby abdicate

Abd-el Krim, Abderhalden, Abd-er-Rahman Khan, Abdias, abdicant, abdicate, abdication, abdom., abdomen, abdomin-, abdominal

How to use abdicate in a sentence

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.
Hundreds of US Catholic leaders endorse LGBTQ protections|Michael K. Lavers|August 9, 2021|Washington Blade
Major countries such as the US abdicate leadership on climate action as emissions rise, and temperatures soar to searing levels.
Scientists have finally added world politics to their climate models|Michael J. Coren|August 9, 2021|Quartz
His decision to abdicate saved the church from one messy situation — being governed by a weakened octo- or nonagenarian.
Pope Francis’s surgery adds urgency to questions about the remaining years of his papacy|Chico Harlan, Stefano Pitrelli|July 9, 2021|Washington Post
Yet their triumph was short-lived, with Álvarez abdicating the presidency after only 68 days.
The problem of environmental racism in Mexico today is rooted in history|Jayson Porter|February 11, 2021|Washington Post

After Republicans abdicated their responsibility to discipline Greene, as they did in 2019 after then-Rep.
Marjorie Taylor Greene and her crock-of-bile tears|Karen Tumulty|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
In recent decades it has become the tradition for the monarch to abdicate.
Dutch Queen Abdicates|Tom Sykes|April 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The Founding Fathers must never have imagined, however, that we would abdicate that responsibility for a quick buck.
Why I Committed Career Suicide|Charles Perez|August 9, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Don't you suspect an intrigue on the part of the King's brothers to get the poor man to abdicate?
The Story Of The Duchess Of Cicogne And Of Monsieur De Boulingrin|Anatole France
"Abdicate or reign," said Albert in a low voice to the queen, who stood motionless and thoughtful.
Catherine de' Medici|Honore de Balzac
Experience and reason are once for all made supreme, and henceforth refuse to share their throne or abdicate in favor of faith.
Baron d'Holbach|Max Pearson Cushing
On December 2, it was announced that Emperor Ferdinand had resolved to abdicate his throne.
A History of the Nineteenth Century, Year by Year|Edwin Emerson
He had done well to abdicate, and were the crisis to recur, he would not act otherwise.
The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 1, April, 1851|Various

British Dictionary definitions for abdicate

abdicate

/ (ˈæbdɪˌkeɪt) /

verb

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

Derived forms of abdicate

abdicable (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

abdicate

OTHER WORDS FOR abdicate

Origin of abdicate

OTHER WORDS FROM abdicate

Words nearby abdicate

Words related to abdicate

How to use abdicate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for abdicate

Derived forms of abdicate

Word Origin for abdicate