abdicate
verb (used without object)
to renounce or relinquish a throne, right, power, claim, responsibility, or the like, especially in a formal manner.
was abdicating
-
past progressiveof abdicate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The transport minister was also pressed by Tory MSP Liam Kerr, who said she was "abdicating that responsibility" by refusing to step into the dispute.
From BBC ● Jun. 8, 2022
In 2012, the Washington Supreme Court ruled the state was abdicating its duty to amply fund public education for the state’s 1 million schoolchildren.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 22, 2019
As his career approached its close, McCain worried that the Senate was abdicating its constitutional responsibilities.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2018
Earlier this week, the King announced that he was abdicating the throne in favor of his son, Prince Felipe.
From Slate ● Jun. 7, 2014
It was a quarter to nine, and the head hall-porter was abdicating his 258 pagoda to the head night-porter, and telling him the necessary secrets of the day.
From Tales of the Five Towns by Arnold Bennett
