Synonyms of renege

renege

verb

ri-ˈneg 

1

as in to withdraw

to break a promise or agreement

my so-called best friend promised to help me move, only to renege come Saturday morning

Synonyms & Similar Words

• withdraw
• recall
• back out
• back down
• retract
• back off
• cop out
• backpedal
• recant
• go back on
• fink out
• forswear
• backtrack
• disavow
• chicken (out)
• abjure
• take back
• unsay
• repudiate
• wimp out
• beg off
• abnegate
• cry off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adhere (to)
• fulfill
• keep
• satisfy
• honor
• comply (with)
• follow through (with)

2

as in to renounce

to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)

refused to renege the principles by which she had always lived her life, even if it resulted in losing her business

Synonyms & Similar Words

• withdraw
• renounce
• retract
• deny
• repeal
• contradict
• abandon
• relinquish
• recant
• forswear
• refute
• repudiate
• abjure
• take back
• unsay
• spurn
• abnegate
• forsake
• disavow
• disown
• disclaim
• recall
• gainsay
• revoke
• negate
• disprove
• disagree (with)
• controvert
• surrender
• rebut
• dispute
• negative
• backtrack
• give up
• back down
• disallow
• back off
• bolt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• maintain
• acknowledge
• admit
• declare
• adhere (to)
• claim
• assert
• contend
• state
• affirm
• proclaim
• defend
• support
• accept
• uphold
• confirm
• endorse
• adopt
• vow
• back
• profess
• vouch
• avow
• embrace
• espouse

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of renege

Indeed, history is replete with governments reneging on oil deals, especially those that would seem to have been signed under duress. — Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Now the Navy is reneging on its promise to name an aircraft carrier for Doris Miller, the heroic Black mess attendant who manned a machine gun at Pearl Harbor. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

In October, Stellantis reneged on a pledge to build the Jeep Compass in Canada, instead committing production of that vehicle to Illinois, the same plant that is now facing delay. — Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 14 Aug. 2026

But Netanyahu’s government ministers have openly expressed opposition to the plan and are now urging him to renege entirely on cooperating with the Board of Peace. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 3 Aug. 2026