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Glite Dictionary
renegade state

renegade state

9.5
A state that breaks international rules and acts against other countries
  • noun
  • /ˈrɛnɪɡeɪd steɪt/
  • Literature
translation icon : estado renegado
  • The international community imposed sanctions on the renegade state after repeated violations of treaties.

Examples

  • Some analysts warn that a renegade state could destabilize the entire region.

  • Diplomats are struggling to negotiate with the renegade state to prevent further conflict.

  • North Korea is often labeled a renegade state.

  • Many consider Iran a renegade state due to its nuclear ambitions.

  • Countries like North Korea are often labeled as renegade states because they ignore international treaties.

  • The actions of the renegade state defied the expectations of the global community regarding diplomacy.

  • Many view Iran as a renegade state due to its continuous development of nuclear capabilities against international agreements.

Synonyms

rogue state
vsrenegade state
  • Literature
8 7.7

A country that breaks international rules and ignores agreements

deliberately disregards accepted international rules and norms in foreign relations
rogue nation
vsrenegade state
  • Literature
4 7.7

A country that ignores rules between countries and behaves dangerously

deliberately disregards accepted international rules and norms as intentional policy

Antonyms

law-abiding
63 3.4

Following the law and not breaking rules

How Compliant

law-abiding
63 3.4
cooperative
119 3.5
renegade state
  • Literature
9.5
uncooperative
22 4.5

Surface Forms

renegade state singular
renegade states plural

Morphology

renegade + state

The meaning is transparently built from 'renegade' (disloyal, rebellious) modifying 'state' (nation), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer a nation that breaks or deserts accepted norms. This adjective+noun composition is regular and similar cross-linguistically (e.g., 'rogue/renegade state'), making the phrase predictable rather than idiomatic.

Etymology

Renegade state paints the picture of a country, a state, that becomes a renegade, someone who turns against the group and refuses to follow the rules. So, it means 'a country that breaks the rules' or 'acts alone'.