renege
verb (used without object)
to play a card that is not of the suit led when one can follow suit; break a rule of play.
was reneging
-
past progressiveof renege.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.
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 ● Jan. 22, 2026
Pensioners would almost certainly come out in droves against it, making the argument that the state was reneging on employment terms that were agreed upon in good faith.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 20, 2018
The original decision, first revealed in late July, upset some customers who thought the bank was reneging on an unbreakable promise to them.
From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2012
Someone else in the audience said Rhode Island was reneging on a moral obligation.
From New York Times ● Oct. 22, 2011
I was painfully aware that I was reneging on a promise, that by joining a competitor, I'd hurt the hand that had, in good measure, groomed me.
From Behind the News: Voices from Goa's Press by Various
