Renege vs. Rescind — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 29, 2024
Renege involves breaking a promise or failing to fulfill an obligation, while rescind refers to formally revoking or canceling an agreement or contract.
Difference Between Renege and Rescind
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Renege typically applies to personal commitments or informal agreements, highlighting a failure to uphold one's word. Whereas, rescind is used in formal contexts such as legal contracts, emphasizing an official withdrawal or annulment.
When someone reneges, it often affects personal trust and reliability in social or interpersonal relationships. On the other hand, rescinding usually involves legal implications and can affect the terms and conditions of formal agreements.
Renege can be seen as a moral or ethical lapse, reflecting poorly on an individual's character. In contrast, to rescind can be a protective measure, ensuring fairness or correcting a mistaken commitment.
The decision to renege is sometimes taken unilaterally and can be based on personal whims or circumstances. Meanwhile, rescinding often requires mutual consent or follows legal protocols to avoid future disputes.
While reneging merely breaks a promise, rescinding effectively nullifies the original terms, as if the agreement never existed.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
Formally revoke or cancel an agreement or contract
Context
More informal, personal
Formal, often legal
Implications
Affects personal trust and reliability
Legal implications, can nullify agreements
Decision Process
Often unilateral and based on personal circumstances
Requires mutual consent or legal justification
Effect on Agreement
Does not nullify the agreement, only breaks a promise
Nullifies the agreement, treating it as though it never existed
Compare with Definitions
Renege
Go back on one's word.
He is known to renege on deals at the last minute.
Rescind
Annul a decision or offer.
The university rescinded the admission offer after discrepancies in the application were found.
Renege
Break a rule in a game.
He was disqualified for reneging during the card game.
Rescind
Revoke an agreement legally.
The company rescinded the contract after the discovery of fraud.
Renege
Fail to follow through on a promise.
He reneged on his promise to volunteer at the charity event.
Rescind
Cancel an operation or policy.
The operation was rescinded by the new management.
Renege
Fail to carry out a commitment.
The company reneged on its commitments to environmental policies.
Rescind
Eliminate the validity of a transaction.
The deal was rescinded after the negotiation failed.
Renege
Withdraw from a position or statement.
She reneged on her earlier statements during the debate.
Rescind
Withdraw a statement or law.
The government rescinded the outdated law.
Renege
Go back on a promise, undertaking, or contract
The government had reneged on its election promises
Rescind
To make void; repeal or annul.
Renege
To fail to carry out a promise or commitment
Reneged on the contract at the last minute.
Rescind
(transitive) To repeal, annul, or declare void; to take (something such as a rule or contract) out of effect.
The agency will rescind the policy because many people are dissatisfied with it.
Renege
(Games) To fail to follow suit in cards when able and required by the rules to do so.
Rescind
(transitive) To cut away or off.
Renege
To renounce; disown.
Rescind
To cut off; to abrogate; to annul.
The blessed Jesus . . . did sacramentally rescind the impure relics of Adam and the contraction of evil customs.
Renege
The act of reneging.
Rescind
Specifically, to vacate or make void, as an act, by the enacting authority or by superior authority; to repeal; as, to rescind a law, a resolution, or a vote; to rescind a decree or a judgment.
Renege
(intransitive) To break a promise or commitment; to go back on one's word.
Rescind
Annul by recalling or rescinding;
He revoked the ban on smoking
Lift an embargo
Vacate a death sentence
Renege
(intransitive) In a card game, to break one's commitment to follow suit when capable.
Renege
To deny; to renounce
Renege
To deny; to disown.
All Europe high (all sorts of rights reneged)Against the truth and thee unholy leagued.
Renege
To deny.
Renege
To fail to keep (a commitment or promise); - often used with on; as, to renege on one's promise.
Renege
To revoke; to play a card that cannot legally be played according to the rules.
Renege
The mistake of not following suit when able to do so
Renege
Fail to fulfill a promise or obligation;
She backed out of her promise
Common Curiosities
How does reneging affect personal relationships?
Renege damages one’s reputation and trustworthiness, often negatively impacting personal relationships.
What are the legal consequences of rescinding a contract?
Rescinding a contract can lead to legal disputes or obligations to restore the parties to their original state.
What does it mean to renege on a promise?
To renege on a promise means to fail to keep it, breaking a commitment made to someone.
What is needed to legally rescind an agreement?
Legal grounds such as fraud, mistake, or changes in law are required to rescind an agreement.
Is reneging illegal?
While not typically illegal, reneging is considered unethical and can lead to personal or professional consequences.
Does reneging always involve contracts?
No, reneging typically involves informal agreements or promises rather than formal contracts.
What are the moral implications of reneging?
Renege is seen as a breach of ethical standards, reflecting poorly on one's integrity.
Can rescinding a contract be done unilaterally?
Generally, rescinding a contract requires mutual consent or a legal basis, not just a unilateral decision.
Can any agreement be rescinded?
Not all agreements can be rescinded; conditions must meet specific legal criteria.
How does one typically proceed to rescind a formal agreement?
To rescind a formal agreement, one must often follow specified legal procedures or negotiate terms of annulment.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
