renege

UK: /rɪˈneɪg/

US: /rɪˈnɪg, -ˈnɛg, -ˈnig/

US: (ri nig′, -neg′, -nēg′)

Inflections of 'renege' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

reneges

v 3rd person singular

reneging

v pres p

reneged

v past

reneged

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

re•nege /rɪˈnɪg, -ˈnɛg, -ˈnig/   v. [no object* (~ + on + object)] , -neged, -neg•ing. 

1. to go back on one's word:
   He has reneged on his promise.

re•neg•er, n. [countable] See -neg-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

re•nege  (ri nig′, -neg′, -nēg′), v., -neged, -neg•ing, n. 
v.i. 

1. Games [Cards.] to play a card that is not of the suit led when one can follow suit;
   break a rule of play.
2. to go back on one's word:
   He has reneged on his promise.

v.t. 

3. [Archaic.] to deny;
   disown;
   renounce.

n. 

4. Games [Cards.] an act or instance of reneging.

• Medieval Latin renegāre, equivalent. to re- re- + negāre to deny (compare negative)
• earlier renegue 1540–50

re•neg′er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

renege, renegue / rɪˈniːɡ -ˈneɪɡ/ verb

1. (intransitive) often followed by on: to go back (on one's promise, etc)

verb , noun

1. other words for revoke

Etymology: 16th Century (in the sense: to deny, renounce): from Medieval Latin renegāre to renounce; see renegade