abdicate

[ ab-di-keyt ]

/ ˈæb dɪˌkeɪt /

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.

Nearby words

abd., abdelkader, abderhalden, abdias, abdicant, abdicate, abdication, abdom., abdomen, abdomin-, abdominal

Origin of abdicate

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

SYNONYMS FOR abdicate

1 resign, quit.

2 abandon, repudiate.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR abdicate ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

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

Can be confused

abdicate abrogate arrogate derogate

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

Examples from the Web for 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|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

Would it not be better to abdicate at once, rather than rule such a people?
Egmont|Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
How ill do I have to be before I can abdicate the perpendicular in the presence of a young man?
Balloons|Elizabeth Bibesco
Perhaps we should not even demand that the words contained in philosophic handbooks should abdicate all pretension to ambiguity.
Decadence and Other Essays on the Culture of Ideas|Remy de Gourmont
The Unionists assembled to force the regent to abdicate, but he firmly refused to do so.
Sweden|Victor Nilsson
The boldness of Jason intimidated Pelias; he was unwilling to abdicate the crown, yet he feared the resentment of his adversary.
Heathen Mythology|Various

British Dictionary definitions for abdicate

abdicate

/ (ˈæbdɪˌkeɪt) /

verb

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

Derived Forms

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