What does renounce mean?
Renounce is a formal verb meaning to give up or reject something deliberately and openly. A person may renounce a title, citizenship, inheritance, claim, allegiance, or earlier commitment. It can also describe withdrawing from worldly life or possessions, especially in religious contexts. The word often carries a sense of moral or legal seriousness: renouncing citizenship is a formal legal act, while renouncing allegiance suggests a decisive break with a political or religious group. In ordinary conversation, “give up” may be more accessible, but “renounce” is appropriate when the withdrawal is deliberate, consequential, or intended as a public declaration. It can also mean to reject a belief or affiliation, making it more forceful than merely losing interest in or ceasing to participate in something.
verbTo formally give up or reject something, such as a right, title, claim, belief, or allegiance. In religious contexts, it can mean to declare that one is withdrawing from worldly life or possessions.
- To formally give up or relinquish a right, title, claim, possession, or commitment.
- To reject or disavow a belief, allegiance, or earlier affiliation.
- To declare oneself free from worldly attachments, especially in a religious or spiritual context.
"The former citizen renounced her allegiance and moved abroad."
"He renounced his claim to the estate in a formal agreement."
"Several converts renounced worldly possessions and joined the religious community."
Renouncing a title is more than giving it up: it is a deliberate public or legal act declaring that the former holder will no longer claim it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does renounce come from?
Renounce comes through Old French from Latin renuntiare, formed from re- and nuntiare, both related to announcing or making known. The original sense developed from formally declaring or giving up a claim, especially in legal and religious settings. Its English forms and relatives such as renunciation preserve the same Latin root, while the modern word is especially associated with formal withdrawal from rights, allegiances, or worldly attachments.
Related word forms
How renounce is actually used
Renounce is formal and often appears in legal, political, religious, or ceremonial contexts. It implies a deliberate, often public, declaration rather than merely losing or surrendering something.
Easily confused with renounce
Renounce means to formally give up or reject something, whereas announce means to make something publicly known.
Renounce refers to giving up a personal claim or commitment, while denounce usually means to condemn or criticize something publicly.