French word

renier

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁənje/

Meaning

  • verbdeny

Example

Il renie ce qu'il a dit.

He denies what he said.

Illustration for renier (deny)

More examples

Elle renie sa famille après le scandale.

She disowns her family after the scandal.

Core concept

A person publicly pushing away a claim or connection once associated with them.

Common phrases

  • renier ses origines

    disown one's origins

  • renier sa famille

    disown one's family

Similar words

nier: To deny a fact or the content of a statement.
désavouer: To publicly disavow one's own actions or words.
démentir: To deny that a rumor or report is true.
rejeter: To refuse to accept a proposal or opinion.

Definition in French

Refuser de reconnaître quelque chose ou quelqu'un, souvent de façon nette et définitive.

Word origin

Renier comes from Latin renegare, formed with re- and negare, and entered French through Old French with its sense of denial.

Usage tips

  • Renier is stronger than nier and often conveys a clear break with a claim, person, or former affiliation.

Other meanings

  • retractverb
  • disownverb

Opposites

Related words

  • reniementdisavowalnoun
  • reniédisownedadjective

Word lists with this word