renounce

/rɪˈnaʊns/ formal

Say it: rih-NOUNS

1. verb To formally and publicly declare that one is giving up a claim, right, title, or possession.
He was forced to renounce his claim to the inheritance.
2. verb To reject or abandon a belief, cause, or principle that one once held.
After the scandal, many of his followers began to renounce his teachings.
3. verb To refuse to associate with or recognize someone any longer; to disown.
She threatened to renounce her son if he went through with the marriage.

📖 Seen in the wild

He chose to renounce his claim to the throne and live a simpler life.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ renounce in a sentence

To become a U.S. citizen, applicants must renounce all allegiance to any foreign state.
The group issued a statement renouncing the use of violence to achieve its political goals.
In the novel, the protagonist must renounce her former life of luxury to join the rebellion.
He publicly renounced the extremist views he had promoted in his youth.
The company was pressured to renounce its controversial labor practices.
After a crisis of faith, the priest decided to renounce his vows.
She made the difficult decision to renounce her family's wealth and forge her own path.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

abdicate forswear relinquish disown repudiate abandon waive reject

abdicate · specifically for giving up a throne or high position.

forswear · implies renouncing something under a solemn oath.

relinquish · suggests a less forceful or formal act of giving up.

disown · primarily used for rejecting people and relationships.

Opposites: embrace, claim, uphold, accept, advocate

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'renounce' traveled from Latin to English through Old French. It comes from the Latin 'renuntiare', which meant 'to bring back word' or 'to protest against'. This was formed from 're-', meaning 'against', and 'nuntiare', 'to announce', giving us the modern sense of making a formal announcement against something you once held.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

renounce citizenshiprenounce a claimrenounce a titlerenounce violencerenounce one's beliefsformally renounce

Use 'renounce' for serious, formal, and often public acts of giving something up. It carries a strong connotation of finality and deliberate rejection. It is much stronger than simply 'stopping' or 'giving up'; it implies a conscious moral or legal declaration. Be careful not to confuse it with 'denounce', which means to publicly condemn something or someone, not to give them up.

Word family: renunciation, renouncer

💬 Quick answers

What does it mean to renounce something?

It means to formally and publicly declare that you are giving up a claim, right, belief, or possession. The act is typically seen as final and definitive.

What is the difference between 'renounce' and 'repudiate'?

To renounce is to give up something you previously held or were entitled to, like a belief or a title. To repudiate is to reject the validity of something, like an accusation or a debt, often something you disagree with from the start.

Is 'renounce' a formal word?

Yes, 'renounce' is a formal word used in legal, political, and serious personal contexts. It is not typically used in casual conversation.

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