Renegading

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Acting as a defector or traitor to a cause or group ; abandoning allegiance or loyalty ; behaving in a rebellious or disloyal manner
2. Engaging in the act of turning against established authority or commitments ; forsaking previously held associations or beliefs ; conducting oneself in a faithless or unfaithful way
3. Participating in the rejection of norms or alliances ; withdrawing support or loyalty previously given ; demonstrating conduct that is oppositional or betraying trust

Etymology: "Renegading" is the present participle of "renegade," so its history is really the history of that base word. "Renegade" came into English from Spanish "renegado," which in turn traces back to Medieval Latin "renegātus," the past participle of "renegō," meaning "to deny." The Latin verb was built from "re-" (back, again) and "negō" (to say no), so at its root is the idea of saying no in return, or denying something one had once affirmed. The Spanish form carried that sense of denial into a religious and political setting. A "renegado" was someone who had renounced their faith, most often a Christian who converted to Islam, and the word was used for such converts across the Mediterranean world. English borrowed the term with that charged meaning, and it was applied to people who turned from their own side or creed. Over time the sense broadened from religious apostasy to any act of abandoning an allegiance, so the verb "renegade" and its participle "renegading" now describe defecting from a cause, group, or loyalty. The Latin verb also gave English "renege," which keeps the core idea of going back on a promise.

Synonyms: defecting, deserting, betraying, revolting, rebelling

Antonyms: loyal, supporting, allegiant, faithful, steadfast