abdicate

/ˈæbdɪkeɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈæbdɪkeɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈab-di-ˌkāt/ (ame, mw)

abdicate — verb

  • abdicatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • abdicateshe / she / it
  • abdicatedpast simple
  • abdicating-ing form

1. if a monarch abdicates, they formally give up royal power and let another person

1.動詞不及物C2
釋義

if a monarch abdicates, they formally give up royal power and let another person become ruler.

例句

After months of protests, King Felipe abdicated and left the palace.

intransitive: a ruler abdicates

Queen Margrethe chose to abdicate when her health began to fail.

formal verb for giving up a throne

同義詞
  • resign

    broader and more common; used for jobs and public offices, not specifically for a throne

  • step down

    more neutral and less ceremonial; often used for leaders leaving a position

  • renounce

    focuses on giving up a claim or right, sometimes before someone has actually ruled

反義詞
  • accede

    formal; means to become king or queen rather than give up the throne

文法句型

abdicate

abdicate in favor of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Mainly used for monarchs or emperors. Unlike resign, it refers specifically to giving up a throne rather than leaving an ordinary job or public office.

常見錯誤

❌The prime minister abdicated after the scandal.
✅The prime minister resigned after the scandal.
💡abdicate is mainly used for a king, queen, or emperor giving up the throne.

2. to give up control of something you should manage, or to stop doing a duty that

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to give up control of something you should manage, or to stop doing a duty that you should carry out.

例句

The board cannot abdicate responsibility for unsafe conditions in the factory.

collocation: abdicate responsibility for

Parents should not abdicate their role in guiding a teenager online.

同義詞
  • shirk

    stresses avoiding a duty, often by trying not to face it

  • neglect

    focuses on failing to give proper attention over time, not formally giving something up

  • surrender

    emphasizes handing over control, often because of pressure or defeat

反義詞
  • fulfill

    means to carry out a duty properly instead of giving it up

文法句型

abdicate + responsibility / duty / control

用法筆記

Usually takes nouns such as responsibility, duty, role, or control. It implies blame: the person is giving up something they should keep doing, not simply sharing work.

常見錯誤

❌I abdicated the kitchen to my brother while I answered the phone.
✅I left the kitchen to my brother while I answered the phone.
💡abdicate is used for serious responsibility or authority, not an ordinary household task.