as in relinquishing
to give up (as a position of authority) formally
the revolutionary government forced Nicholas II to abdicate the Russian throne
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Recent Examples of abdicating
They’d be upset about Article One of the Constitution, the legislative branch abdicating its powers; that is, the people’s power to wage war and to levy tariffs.
—
Ken Burns,
Rolling Stone,
19 May 2026
Dinello was right, and The Late Show eventually became late night’s ratings leader—a throne that CBS is now voluntarily abdicating.
—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
Congress abdicating its authority.
—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
In its most hostile version, the same qualities are recast as evidence of his succumbing to spectacle and abdicating basic architectural responsibility.
—
Julian Rose,
Artforum,
26 Mar. 2026
Democratic leaders have accused Congress of abdicating its constitutional role, and some members plan to boycott the address or attend in silent protest.
—
Nik Popli,
Time,
23 Feb. 2026
The United States, in other words, is not just abdicating its role in the current international system.
—
Elizabeth Economy,
Foreign Affairs,
9 Dec. 2025
And if that’s true, what would prohibit Congress from just abdicating all responsibility to regulate foreign commerce, for that matter, declare war, to the president.
—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Far from abdicating responsibility, these young adults were embracing it and moving, however slowly, into their future roles of caring for us.
—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Ken Burns,
Rolling Stone,
19 May 2026
Dinello was right, and The Late Show eventually became late night’s ratings leader—a throne that CBS is now voluntarily abdicating.
—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
Congress abdicating its authority.
—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
In its most hostile version, the same qualities are recast as evidence of his succumbing to spectacle and abdicating basic architectural responsibility.
—
Julian Rose,
Artforum,
26 Mar. 2026
Democratic leaders have accused Congress of abdicating its constitutional role, and some members plan to boycott the address or attend in silent protest.
—
Nik Popli,
Time,
23 Feb. 2026
The United States, in other words, is not just abdicating its role in the current international system.
—
Elizabeth Economy,
Foreign Affairs,
9 Dec. 2025
And if that’s true, what would prohibit Congress from just abdicating all responsibility to regulate foreign commerce, for that matter, declare war, to the president.
—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Far from abdicating responsibility, these young adults were embracing it and moving, however slowly, into their future roles of caring for us.
—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abdicating
Verb
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But for Iran, reopening the strait does not mean relinquishing control of it.
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Furthermore, leaders like George Washington achieved greatness not by hoarding power, but by relinquishing it.
Verb
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Six months after resigning, Phillips has yet to turn over any records.
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Misan Harriman, chair of London’s Southbank Centre, is resigning following accusations of sharing antisemitic posts.
Verb
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Corbett, of Palatine, announced his independent candidacy days after renouncing the current state of the Republican Party and dropping his consulting business work with GOP contenders.
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The program calls for the recognition of Israel and renouncing armed struggle, effectively sidelining Hamas and other factions.
Cite this Entry
“Abdicating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abdicating. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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