What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
repudiate
Example
The politician repudiated the allegations of corruption. [repudiated: past tense verb]
Example
The company repudiated any responsibility for the faulty product. [repudiated: past participle adjective]
renounce
Example
He renounced his inheritance in favor of his younger brother. [renounced: past tense verb]
Example
The celebrity renounced her former lifestyle and became a philanthropist. [renounced: past participle adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Repudiate and renounce are both less common words that are typically used in formal or legal contexts. However, repudiate is slightly more common than renounce in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between repudiate and renounce?
Renounce is generally considered more formal than repudiate, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, both words can be used in legal or official documents.
