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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 notes

In 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

Word forms

renounced past tense, renounces plural, renounces singular

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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."

Origin: Latin

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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial