verb
Uncommon
renounce
rih-NOWNS
Renounce (verb) means to formally give up a right, title, or claim. Example: “The prince renounced his claim to the throne.”
verb
1
To formally give up a right, title, or claim.
"The prince renounced his claim to the throne."
2
To publicly reject or disown a belief, habit, or association.
"She renounced her old political party after the scandal."
How to use renounce
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo formally give up or publicly reject something.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "denounce" (to publicly criticise someone or something) — renounce is about giving up your own claim or belief.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
renounce a claim
renounce citizenship
renounce violence
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Word forms
- Plural
- renounces
- Third person singular
- renounces
- Past tense
- renounced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The prince _____ his claim to the throne.
Etymology
From Old French renoncier, from Latin renuntio, "to protest against, refuse."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for renounce
See all rhymes for renounce →Frequently asked questions
What does “renounce” mean?
The word “renounce” means to formally give up a right, title, or claim. In plain terms, to formally give up or publicly reject something.
How do you pronounce “renounce”?
“Renounce” is pronounced rih-NOWNS (/ɹɪˈnaʊns/ in IPA).
How do you use “renounce” in a sentence?
Here is “renounce” used in a sentence: “The prince renounced his claim to the throne.”
What is another word for “renounce”?
Words with a similar meaning to “renounce” include forsay and forswear.
What part of speech is “renounce”?
“Renounce” is a verb.
Where does the word “renounce” come from?
The word “renounce” comes from Latin. From Old French renoncier, from Latin renuntio, "to protest against, refuse.".
Is “renounce” a common word?
“Renounce” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “renounce” have?
“Renounce” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to formally give up a right, title, or claim.
