How to Use abdicate in a Sentence

abdicate

verb
  • When the state abdicates its duty, the people must step in.
    — William Morris, Des Moines Register, 17 Mar. 2026
  • She was later overthrown in a coup d'état and forced to abdicate.
    — Emily Burack, Town & Country, 14 May 2022
  • From time to time, the question arises whether the queen will ever abdicate.
    — Victoria Murphy, Town & Country, 21 Oct. 2020
  • But when his brother David abdicated the throne, the new monarch must find his voice.
    — Hannah Herrera Greenspan, chicagotribune.com, 8 Aug. 2019
  • Now that the Queen has decided to abdicate, people are even more drawn to it.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 15 Jan. 2024
  • But church leaders say this is not enough, and that the government is abdicating its duty to keep the peace.
    — Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2023
  • Aemond is not going to back down, and Aegon has already ditched his plan to abdicate.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026
  • The following year his uncle, the King of Greece, was forced to abdicate the throne.
    — Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, 9 Apr. 2021
  • This is not the time for educators to abdicate their role in helping to shape how race is discussed in this country.
    — Anne Tapp Jaksa, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2025
  • For a queen mother to privilege her daughter/queen’s wishes above those of the son/king who abdicated in the night?
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026
  • Just months after Rasputin’s murder, Tsar Nicholas was forced to abdicate the throne.
    — Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 27 Oct. 2022
  • The last emperor to abdicate was Kokaku, who stepped down in 1817 to make way for his son.
    — Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2019
  • Let’s pay attention, and not just abdicate hard work and critical thinking to the butler.
    — John Werner, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
  • In the United States, a lot of women abdicate to their partners or their fathers.
    — Anna Tutova, Fortune Crypto, 2 May 2023
  • All of this comes as other sources tell RadarOnline that the King is planning to abdicate soon.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 9 Mar. 2026
  • That same day, Paul Bulcke abdicated at Nestlé after eight-plus years on the throne.
    — Beth Kowitt, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2017
  • The allies forced the French emperor to abdicate and go into exile.
    — The Arizona Republic, 29 Mar. 2024
  • After three days of fighting, Charles abdicated the throne and fled to England.
    — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 May 2024
  • Now, Akihito will be the first emperor in more than two centuries to abdicate the throne.
    — Aria Bendix, The Atlantic, 2 June 2017
  • Why had Congress abdicated its power to set tariffs?
    — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Sheikh Hamad abdicated in 2013 in favour of his son, Tamim bin Hamad.
    — The Economist, 21 June 2018
  • Politicians would abdicate their starring roles in the spotlight and become members of the supporting cast.
    — Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 27 May 2020
  • If the United States abdicates its diplomatic role in the region, others will step in.
    — Thomas Carothers, Foreign Affairs, 13 Apr. 2023
  • Has the queen-to-be of country music abdicated even before Loretta Lynn stepped aside?
    — Robert Windeler, Peoplemag, 15 June 2024
  • Francis is abdicating the mandate which Christ gave to Peter to confirm the brethren.
    — Tara Isabella Burton, Vox, 26 Aug. 2018
  • The set was a gift from Simpson's husband, the Duke of Windsor, who abdicated as king.
    — Isiah Magsino, Town & Country, 28 Apr. 2023
  • RadarOnline reported that the King is planning to abdicate soon.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 27 Mar. 2026
  • In June, the King spoke about the possibility of abdicating to make way for his daughter.
    — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Another line of thought Tuesday held that Kyrie showed up as part of an effort to persuade the King not to abdicate.
    — Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 24 May 2023
  • Congress has abdicated its power to an oligarchy of billionaires.
    — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 May 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abdicate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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