ENGLISH
REFERENCE

abnegate

v.
C1 Advanced UK //ˈæbnɪɡˌeɪt// ab·ne·gate

v. to give up something you want or need, especially something that is very important to you. It is a formal word for making a big sacrifice.

v. to renounce or give up something, especially a desire or a right. Often implies a voluntary and complete sacrifice of personal interests for a higher cause.


SIMPLE

He decided to abnegate his own comfort to help the family.

CONTEXTUAL

The monk chose to abnegate his former life of luxury in order to live a life of strict discipline.

COMPLEX

By abnegating her own ambitions, she allowed her younger colleagues to rise through the ranks, eventually leading to a more diverse and innovative leadership team.

Synonyms
Origin

First attested in 1657. * Perhaps from Latin abnegō (“to refuse, reject”) from ab (“away from”) + negō (“to deny”), * Alternatively, perhaps a back-formation from abnegation.

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