Dictionary.com

renege

[ ri-nig, -neg, -neeg ]
/ rɪˈnɪg, -ˈnɛg, -ˈnig /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: renege / reneging on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object), re·neged, re·neg·ing.
Cards. to play a card that is not of the suit led when one can follow suit; break a rule of play.
to go back on one's word: He has reneged on his promise.
verb (used with object), re·neged, re·neg·ing.
Archaic. to deny; disown; renounce.
noun
Cards. an act or instance of reneging.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of renege

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

OTHER WORDS FROM renege

re·neg·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to renege

back out, go back, pull out, retract, reverse, change one's mind, take back, break one's word, chicken out, cop out, weasel out, wimp out

How to use renege in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for renege

renege

renegue

/ (rɪˈniːɡ, -ˈneɪɡ) /
verb
(intr often foll by on) to go back (on one's promise, etc)
verb, noun
cards other words for revoke

Derived forms of renege

reneger or reneguer, noun

Word Origin for renege

C16 (in the sense: to deny, renounce): from Medieval Latin renegāre to renounce; see renegade
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
FEEDBACK