# renounce

/ɹɪˈnaʊns/ (US) · /ɹɪnˈaʊns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/renounce
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to give up a right or claim

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to officially say that you no longer want or have a right to something, like a title or a position.

For teachers: to formally surrender or resign a right, title, or claim. Transitive — requires a direct object.

- The prince chose to renounce his right to the throne to marry for love.
- Under the terms of the settlement, the former CEO was required to renounce all future claims to the company's intellectual property.

Usage: Often used in legal or political contexts regarding titles, citizenship, or inheritance.

### 2. to reject a belief or habit

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to state publicly that you no longer believe in something or will no longer do something.

For teachers: to repudiate or disavow a previously held belief, allegiance, or habit, often by open declaration.

- He decided to renounce violence and work for peace instead.
- The activist refused to renounce her political convictions, even when faced with the threat of imprisonment.

Usage: Commonly takes abstract nouns like 'violence', 'beliefs', or 'faith' as objects.

### 3. to disown or break ties

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

to say that you no longer want to be connected with someone or something.

For teachers: to decline further association with a person, group, or cause; to disown.

- The church decided to renounce the extremist group for their hateful actions.
- After the scandal broke, several sponsors moved quickly to renounce their ties to the disgraced athlete.

### 4. card games

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to play a card of a different suit because you do not have any of the suit that was led.

For teachers: to fail to follow suit in a card game, specifically when the player lacks cards of the suit led.

- She had to renounce because she didn't have any hearts left in her hand.
- A player who renounces when they actually hold a card of the suit led is said to have committed a revoke.

Usage: Used almost exclusively in the context of trick-taking games like Bridge or Whist.

## Examples

- He decided to renounce his citizenship to live abroad permanently.
- After years of heavy smoking, he made a public vow to renounce the habit for the sake of his health.
- The former leader was forced to renounce his claim to the throne as part of the peace treaty signed between the two warring nations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.