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
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
After all, Perfidia explodes other archetypes, too—for instance, abdicating her roles as a mother and romantic partner to continue her work.
—Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 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
In June, the King spoke about the possibility of abdicating to make way for his daughter.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
This isn't about abdicating responsibility.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
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
After all, Perfidia explodes other archetypes, too—for instance, abdicating her roles as a mother and romantic partner to continue her work.
—Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 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
In June, the King spoke about the possibility of abdicating to make way for his daughter.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
This isn't about abdicating responsibility.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abdicating
Verb
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Trump has said numerous times that any final resolution would have to involve Iran relinquishing its nuclear program, either by means of a diplomatic agreement or by force.—
Chris Boccia,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
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And at the counter, where chef and guest are separated by little more than a stretch of the hand, everything rests on precision, presence and the quiet thrill of relinquishing control to the chef’s capable hands.—
Rachel Ingram,
Robb Report,
10 May 2026
Verb
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Those photos and several others, released by both the Post and other online publications, eventually led to Russini resigning from The Athletic and deleting her social media presence.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
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All week, Downing Street has insisted that Starmer has no intention of resigning.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The program calls for the recognition of Israel and renouncing armed struggle, effectively sidelining Hamas and other factions.—
SAM METZ,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
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The program calls for the recognition of Israel and renouncing armed struggle, effectively sidelining Hamas and other factions.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abdicating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abdicating. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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