verb
abdicate
AB-dih-kayt/ˈæbdɪkeɪt/
To give up a position of authority or its responsibilities.
The aging monarch decides to abdicate in favor of her son.
Etymology
“Away” plus “proclaim” gives the image of declaring something no longer one's own. Applied to office, this meant renouncing one's position—the connection behind giving up a throne or responsibility.
In context
when the powerful uh forces that hold the current world order together abdicate their responsibility or abstain from that responsibility then other people will attempt to fill that void
More examples
- The king abdicated after months of public protests.
- Parents cannot simply abdicate responsibility for their children's safety.
- By ignoring the evidence, the committee abdicates its duty.
Forms
abdicate · abdicates · abdicated · abdicating
Similar words
- resign
- Leaves an office without specifically invoking royal authority.
- relinquish
- Gives up possession or control of many kinds.