renege

verb re·nege \ri-ˈneg also -ˈnāg, -ˈnig; rē-\

: to refuse to do something that you promised or agreed to do

re·negedre·neg·ing

Full Definition of RENEGE

transitive verb

: deny, renounce

intransitive verb

obsolete : to make a denial

: revoke

: to go back on a promise or commitment

— re·neg·er noun

See renege defined for English-language learners

See renege defined for kids

Origin of RENEGE

Medieval Latin renegare

First Known Use: 1548

Related to RENEGE

Synonyms: back down, back off, back out, cop out, fink out, go back on

Antonyms: adhere (to)

Rhymes with RENEGE

blackleg, bootleg, bowleg, dogleg, foreleg, jackleg, jake leg, JPEG, milk leg, MPEG, muskeg, nutmeg, peg leg, redleg, roughleg, Tuareg, unpeg

RENEGE Defined for Kids

renege

verb re·nege \ri-ˈnig, -ˈneg\

re·negedre·neg·ing

Definition of RENEGE for Kids

: to go back on a promise or agreement

Word Root of RENEGE

The Latin word negāre, meaning “to deny” or “to say no,” and its form negātus give us the root neg. Words from the Latin negāre have something to do with saying no. Anything negative, such as a reply to a question, denies something or responds by saying no. To renege is to go back on, or deny, an agreement or promise. Even the last letters of deny, to declare something to be false, come from negāre.

Learn More About RENEGE

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "renege"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "renege"

Nglish: Translation of "renege" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "renege" for Arabic speakers

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: renegotiablePrevious Word in the Dictionary: renegateAll Words Near: renege

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up renege? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site