renounce power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "renounce power" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of giving up or rejecting authority or control, often in a political or personal context. Example: "After years of ruling, the dictator decided to renounce power and allow for a democratic transition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

If you want to know the truth about the world, at some point you will have to renounce power.

The Guardian

Mr. Milosevic is not an isolated case (Gen. Augusto Pinochet of Chile and many others come to mind), and we should use the occasion to find a permanent way to entice tyrants to renounce power to escape the wrath of nations.

The New York Times

They told Mr. Milosevic through his intermediaries that he had a few days to renounce power and leave the country without difficulty, to settle where he would, but that if he delayed, he could face arrest and a trial in The Hague on war crimes charges.

The New York Times

The heavenly gifts descend on those who renounce power itself.

Huffington Post

Eventually, Assad or his sons must renounce power; history teaches that no repressive regime lasts forever.

Huffington Post

Fouad Ajami criticised Aflaq for a lack of real substance, stating, "Nearly three hundred pages of text yield no insight, on his part, into what went wrong and what needed to be done; there is only the visible infatuation with words" and "Aflaq summons the party to renounce power and go back to its 'pure essence'".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Renouncing power, after so many years of exercising it unhappily, was part of his self-reinvention.

The New York Times - Arts

But this doesn't lessen Prospero's flinty anger or Prospero's pain at renouncing power.

The New York Times

This was the impulse that took the fourth century monks into the desert, renouncing power, even as the church took power.

The Guardian - Opinion

The practice of renouncing power within India is, in certain instances, deeply moving, and can be seen as close to the Hindu practice of sannyasa, when the devout renounce all worldly desires.

The Guardian - Opinion

If Mr. Milosevic conceded and renounced power, even after the pillars of his rule collapsed this week, he and his family would be allowed to remain in Serbia, they said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "renounce power", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific type of power is being relinquished, such as political, personal, or nuclear power.

Common error

Avoid using "renounce power" vaguely. Always specify the domain of power being renounced to prevent ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "He renounced power", clarify with "He renounced his political power" or "He renounced his power within the company".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "renounce power" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where 'renounce' acts as a transitive verb taking 'power' as its direct object. This construction describes the act of formally rejecting or giving up control, authority, or influence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "renounce power" is a grammatically sound phrase that describes the act of giving up or rejecting authority, control, or influence. Ludwig AI indicates that it's correct and usable in English. While not exceedingly common, it appears frequently in news and media, wiki and encyclopedia sources, often in discussions of political or leadership transitions. For alternative phrasing, "relinquish authority" or "abdicate control" offer semantically similar options. When using this phrase, ensure that the context makes clear what type of power is being renounced to prevent any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relinquish power

Is very similar, but uses a different verb.

relinquish authority

Focuses on the formal act of giving up authority.

abdicate control

Emphasizes the act of surrendering control or command.

cede authority

Implies a formal transfer of power to another entity.

step down from power

Refers to leaving a position of authority or control.

give up control

A more general term for ceasing to have control.

waive authority

Signifies voluntarily giving up a right or claim to authority.

forsake power

Implies abandoning power or influence.

devolve power

Refers to transferring power to a lower level.

surrender authority

Suggests yielding authority, often under pressure.

FAQs

How is "renounce power" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "renounce power" is used to describe the act of giving up or rejecting authority or control. For instance, "The dictator decided to "renounce power" and allow for a democratic transition".

What are some alternatives to "renounce power"?

You can use alternatives such as "relinquish authority", "abdicate control", or "cede authority" depending on the specific context.

Is it more common to "renounce power" or "relinquish power"?

Both "renounce power" and "relinquish power" are valid and relatively interchangeable. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, though "relinquish" may imply a more formal or structured transfer of authority.

What is the difference between "renounce power" and "give up power"?

"Renounce power" often suggests a formal or deliberate act of rejecting power, whereas "give up power" can imply a more passive or forced loss of control. "Renounce" carries a stronger connotation of intentionality.