1
as in to withdraw
to break a promise or agreement
my so-called best friend promised to help me move, only to renege come Saturday morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to renounce
to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)
refused to renege the principles by which she had always lived her life, even if it resulted in losing her business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of renege
Rumbeck said that on another occasion last year, Nutex countered with an offer, Blue Cross accepted it, and then Nutex reneged.
—
Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
Shane Smith won…and Katy politely reneged on that offer.
—Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 3 Mar. 2026
This controversy will be an early test of how Mayor Mamdani balances his commitment to parks and open space against for-profit developer efforts to exploit the city’s housing crisis to circumvent zoning rules and renege on community commitments.
—Katherine Thompson, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2026
Wenner reneged on his word and McCartney was snubbed as a soloist until 1999.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for renege
Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
Shane Smith won…and Katy politely reneged on that offer.
—Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 3 Mar. 2026
This controversy will be an early test of how Mayor Mamdani balances his commitment to parks and open space against for-profit developer efforts to exploit the city’s housing crisis to circumvent zoning rules and renege on community commitments.
—Katherine Thompson, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2026
Wenner reneged on his word and McCartney was snubbed as a soloist until 1999.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for renege
Recent Examples of Synonyms for renege
Verb
-
The annexation petition was withdrawn because of a resolution Castle Pines City Council will consider Tuesday to develop an annexation policy.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
However, five of the players withdrew their asylum claims, while two members stayed in Australia, according to media reports.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The German Jews were the founders of American Reform Judaism, which renounced dietary laws, bar mitzvahs, and Zionism.—
Adam Kirsch,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2026
-
China views Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to take the island under its control.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After the initial shock of Julie’s killing, neither Susan nor Leslie’s daughter, Rachel Ramstad, could recall their relatives being contacted by investigators.—
Annalise Peterson,
NBC news,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Center Dominic Toninato was recalled from Rockford on Friday morning to make up for Magiapane’s absence.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The letter notes the post was later retracted, though not for a full day, and that the retraction itself repeated the original accusation.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The ruthlessness of the producers cutting folk off mid-speech or retracting the microphone and upping the music volume was belittling to those on stage.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
So if officials back out of the project, Rosenburgh said the NCDOT board will question other projects for the Charlotte area.—
Desiree Mathurin
March 27,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The ice is naturally reflective, sending some of the sun’s rays back out to space.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In a telephone interview with Kyodo News on Friday, Araghchi denied closing the passageway, insisting instead that countries attacking Iran face restrictions, while others were being offered assistance.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
It was denied state subsidies, records show.—
Uwa Ede-Osifo,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Quickly afterward, though, came the denials from Iran about talks, while Iran's semiofficial Fars and Tasnim news agencies portrayed the American president as backing down.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Kesha dropped her assault lawsuit against the producer in California but did not back down from her other accusations.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Renege.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/renege. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
