verb
renege
rih-NAYG
verb
1
To break a promise or go back on an agreement.
"The supplier reneged on the contract at the last minute."
"He reneged on his promise to help with the move."
How to Use Renege
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo break your word after agreeing to something.
Common mistake
Always followed by "on" — you renege ON a deal or promise, not "renege a deal."
Common pairings
renege on a deal
renege on a promise
Word Forms
reneged past tense, reneges singular
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The supplier _____ on the contract at the last minute.
Etymology
From Latin renegare, "to deny," built from negare ("to deny").