renounce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "renounce" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the act of formally rejecting or giving up a belief, claim, or right. Example: "After much contemplation, she decided to renounce her previous affiliations and pursue a new path."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Boris Johnson is to renounce his US citizenship, removing a potential obstacle to him becoming British prime minister.

The Guardian

Equally important, when Tony Blair began to worry about the Labour supporters not turning out, he began to renounce the Thatcher inheritance.

The Guardian

Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European commission, told Viktor Orbán, Hungary's rightwing prime minister, on Thursday that he had to immediately renounce statements suggesting that the reintroduction of capital punishment was being considered.

The Guardian

"If, because of excessive demands by the other side we don't get a result, then the world will understand that the Islamic Republic sought a solution, a compromise and a constructive agreement and that it will not renounce its rights and the greatness of the nation," Zarif said.

The Guardian

And we are currently seeing more sovereignty-reinforcing protest actions; activists have taken steps to renounce Australian citizenship and have attempted to clear customs using Aboriginal passports, as well as the removed themselves from all systems of non-Indigenous governance.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is deliberately arbitrary, the idea clearly being to renounce completely the very idea of narrative causation.

The Guardian - Books

If they were to disavow Nick Clegg and renounce the rightwing policies that they are supporting in Westminster, we would be in a different situation," he told the BBC.

The Guardian

Molly White, a Republican state representative for Belton, in central Texas, provoked controversy when she posted on her Facebook page that morning that she "did leave an Israeli flag on the reception desk in my office with instructions to staff to ask representatives from the Muslim community to renounce Islamic terrorist groups and publicly announce allegiance to America and our laws.

The Guardian

A public outcry prompted Mr Varin to renounce a pension pot worth €21m ($29m).

The Economist

He had granite determination: without it, he would have left prison years earlier, just by agreeing to renounce violence or make some other concession.

The Economist

He had had to fight to sit in the Commons at all, campaigning for eight years to renounce the peerage he had inherited from his father.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "renounce" when you want to emphasize a formal or public act of giving up a right, claim, or belief. For example, "He decided to renounce his citizenship after moving abroad."

Common error

Avoid using "renounce" interchangeably with words like "reject" or "decline" in all contexts. "Renounce" carries a stronger connotation of formal rejection or abandonment than these alternatives. For instance, instead of saying "He renounced the invitation", use "He declined the invitation."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "renounce" is a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being given up or rejected. This aligns with Ludwig AI's analysis, showcasing its use in formally rejecting claims, beliefs, or rights, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "renounce" is a versatile transitive verb used to formally reject or abandon something, often a right, claim, or belief. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the word is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. The analysis of sources reveals its common occurrence in news and media and formal business contexts, indicating a generally neutral to formal register. When seeking alternatives, consider options such as "give up", "repudiate", or "forswear", keeping in mind the specific nuance each conveys. It is essential to differentiate "renounce" from similar terms like "denounce" and to use it when a formal act of rejection is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

repudiate

This alternative suggests a strong and often public rejection of something.

forswear

This alternative implies a solemn or formal rejection, often under oath.

relinquish

This alternative focuses on surrendering or yielding something, often a right or possession.

give up

This alternative is more general and can apply to a wider range of situations, not necessarily involving a formal declaration.

abandon

This alternative implies leaving something behind completely, often without intention to return.

disown

This alternative suggests rejecting or denying a connection with someone or something.

abdicate

This alternative specifically refers to formally giving up a position of power or responsibility.

resign

This alternative means to formally give up a job or position.

quit

This alternative is less formal and implies stopping or leaving something.

vacate

This alternative means to leave a place or position, sometimes implying a formal act.

FAQs

How to use "renounce" in a sentence?

The verb "renounce" is used to formally reject or give up something. For example, "The politician decided to "renounce his former beliefs" after a period of reflection."

What can I say instead of "renounce"?

You can use alternatives like "give up", "reject", or "repudiate" depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Which is correct, "renounce" or "denounce"?

"Renounce" means to formally give up or reject, while "denounce" means to publicly condemn. They are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "renounce" and "abandon"?

"Renounce" implies a formal or deliberate act of giving something up, whereas "abandon" suggests leaving something behind, often without intention of return. "Renounce" often involves a right or claim, while "abandon" can refer to places, people, or things.