renege

American  

[ri-nig, -neg, -neeg] / rɪˈnɪg, -ˈnɛg, -ˈnig /

verb (used without object)

reneged, reneging

1. Cards. to play a card that is not of the suit led when one can follow suit; break a rule of play.

2. to go back on one's word.

   He has reneged on his promise.

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verb (used with object)

reneged, reneging

1. Archaic. to deny; disown; renounce.

noun

1. Cards. an act or instance of reneging.

renege British  

/ -ˈneɪɡ, rɪˈniːɡ /

verb

1. to go back (on one's promise, etc)

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verb

1. cards other words for revoke

Other Word Forms

• reneger noun

Etymology

Origin of renege

1540–50; earlier renegue < Medieval Latin renegāre, equivalent to re- re- + negāre to deny ( negative )

Example Sentences

But regulators say some companies renege on their commitments.

From Barron's

Still, unthinkable now is Denmark reneging on its promises, including an independence referendum whenever Greenlanders want one.

From The Wall Street Journal

But in August, a documentary filmmaker, primary care physician and wildlife ecologist sued the government over that plan, claiming it was reneging on its duty to protect the horses.

From Los Angeles Times

Prosecutors responded to Puig reneging on the plea agreement by charging him with one count of obstruction of justice and two counts of making false statements to federal officials.

From Los Angeles Times

Then again, any promise made by the U.S. or Venezuela is “subject to reneging by subsequent administrations.”

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• back out
• default on
• go back
• go back on one's word
• pull out
• retract
• reverse