Word
renegade
Phoneticsrene·gade
US/ˈɹɛnəˌɡeɪd/
UK/ɹˈɛnəɡˌeɪd/
Countable noun
Definition
n. someone who leaves their group, country, or set of beliefs to join the other side. You use this for a person who refuses to follow the rules and acts independently.
n. a person who deserts and betrays an organisation, country, or set of principles. Often carries a connotation of rebellious independence or lawlessness.
Examples
“The renegade soldier joined the enemy forces.”
“He was considered a renegade by his former colleagues after he leaked the company's secrets to the press.”
“The film depicts a renegade detective who ignores bureaucratic procedures to pursue a personal vendetta against the city's most powerful criminal syndicate.”
Examples
simple
“The renegade soldier joined the enemy forces.”
contextual
“He was considered a renegade by his former colleagues after he leaked the company's secrets to the press.”
complex
“The film depicts a renegade detective who ignores bureaucratic procedures to pursue a personal vendetta against the city's most powerful criminal syndicate.”
Usage
Often used attributively as a modifier before another noun (e.g., 'renegade priest').
Real-World Examples
“Wang plays down the potential for renegade robots to wreak havoc.” “But Tyler, something of a renegade, vetoed bank bills proposed by his own party and opposed the tariffs, fearing that moving against the Jacksonian legacy too hastily would backfire on his party.” “Yet there's also a sense that some of the renegade excitement and adrenaline of the music scene has been lost too.” Etymology
From Spanish renegado, from Medieval Latin renegātus, perfect participle of renegō (“I deny”). See also renege.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/renegade