abdication

/ˌæbdɪˈkeɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌæbdɪˈkeɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌab-di-ˈkā-shən/ (ame, mw)

abdication — noun

1. the act or fact of choosing not to fulfil a duty or manage something you were su

1.名詞C1
釋義

the act or fact of choosing not to fulfil a duty or manage something you were supposed to be in charge of

例句

Mayor Okonkwo's abdication of duty during the flood crisis left the city without clear leadership.

abdication of duty — abandoning a public responsibility

The school board's abdication of responsibility for student safety outraged many parents last year.

abdication of responsibility — failing to fulfil an oversight role

同義詞
  • renunciation

    broader in meaning — can refer to giving up any right, belief, or claim, not just a duty

  • abandonment

    stronger in tone, often suggests leaving something behind in a reckless or irresponsible way

  • dereliction

    legal or formal term for wilfully failing in a duty, especially as a public officer

反義詞
  • fulfilment

    carrying out a duty or responsibility completely

  • assumption

    taking on a duty or responsibility rather than giving it up

文法句型

abdication of [responsibility / duty / power]

用法筆記

Frequently followed by of plus an abstract noun such as responsibility, duty, or power. The sense is almost always metaphorical rather than legal.

常見錯誤

❌The CEO's abdication was announced at the board meeting.
✅The CEO's resignation was announced at the board meeting.
💡'Abdication' usually refers to giving up a responsibility or duty, while 'resignation' is the standard word for formally leaving a job.

2. the formal act of a monarch giving up the position of ruler of a country, usuall

2.名詞B2
釋義

the formal act of a monarch giving up the position of ruler of a country, usually through a public announcement

例句

King Edward VIII's abdication in 1936 allowed him to marry the woman he loved.

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced her abdication on national television in 2013.

announce abdication — the formal public act of a monarch stepping down

同義詞
  • renunciation

    more general — giving up any right or claim, not specifically the throne

  • resignation

    used for any job or official position, not just royal ones

  • stepping down

    informal alternative that can apply to any leader, including monarchs

反義詞

文法句型

abdication of [a monarch / the throne]

[possessive] + abdication

用法筆記

Restricted to monarchs in formal contexts — almost never used for presidents, CEOs, or other non-royal leaders. Resignation or stepping down is preferred for those positions.

常見錯誤

❌The president's abdication surprised the country.
✅The king's abdication surprised the country.
💡'Abdication' is almost always used for monarchs (kings and queens), not for elected leaders or other officials.