What does renegado mean?
Renegado is a rare, historical English noun for a deserter, especially a soldier or sailor who abandons an armed force or allegiance. It could also refer to an apostate or turncoat: someone who forsakes a religion, political movement, or loyal allegiance. The term has strongly negative connotations because the people it described violated duties of loyalty and trust. In ordinary modern English, “deserter” is usually used for someone who leaves military service, while “renegade” is used more broadly for a traitor, turncoat, or betrayer. Renegado survives chiefly in history books, chronicles, and older literature, where it evokes desertion, divided loyalties, and betrayal. Although the word is still understood and occasionally used for stylistic effect, it is not normally the first or most natural term for these ideas in contemporary speech.
nounA person who deserts an army or navy; formerly also, an apostate or turncoat.
- A soldier, sailor, or other person who deserts from an armed force or abandons an allegiance.
- An apostate or turncoat who abandons a religion, political cause, or group.
"The officer was branded a renegado after deserting his post."
"The officer was branded a renegado after deserting his post."
"In the chronicle, the renegado's change of allegiance was treated as treason."
The standard plural form, used for multiple deserters, apostates, or turncoats.
"The garrison was weakened by several renegados."
A renegado could condemn someone for abandoning an army, a ruler, a cause, or even a faith.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does renegado come from?
The English word comes through Iberian Romance, especially Spanish renegado, with Portuguese renegado representing a closely parallel form. It ultimately derives from Latin renegare, meaning to deny or refuse to acknowledge, formed from the prefix re- and negare, “to say no.” The word reached English as a term for an apostate or deserter and later became established chiefly in historical and military contexts.
How renegado is actually used
Renegado is rare and archaic in modern English. It occurs mainly in historical and literary contexts and may sound deliberately antiquarian or period-specific.
Easily confused with renegado
Renegado is the rarer historical form, typically used for a deserter or apostate; renegade is the standard modern English word for someone who betrays an allegiance.