abdicate
to formally give up power or responsibility
Word origin: From Latin abdicare, to disown (ab- away plus dicare to proclaim).
Abdicate in a sentence
Here are example sentences showing abdicate in a sentence.
The king chose to abdicate the throne rather than face a civil war.
Facing a constitutional crisis, the monarch chose to abdicate rather than preside over a war he could not condone.
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Verbal · Text Completion
The committee's report was praised for its candor, yet its central recommendation was so blank that administrators could cite it to justify nearly any policy they had already resolved to pursue.
Using “abdicate” well
Abdicate implies a formal, often public surrender of authority or duty, frequently with a connotation of evading responsibility. It is commonly used figuratively, as in abdicating one's responsibilities, not just a throne.
More GRE words starting with A
to lower in rank, dignity, or self-respect
to make someone feel embarrassed or ashamed
to lessen in intensity or amount
departing from what is normal or expected
a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected
a state of temporary suspension or inactivity
to regard with strong disgust or hatred
utterly hopeless, humiliated, or servile in condition or spirit
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