RELINQUISH Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'relinquish' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of relinquish are abandon , resign , surrender , waive , and yield . While all these words mean "to give up completely," relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness. // relinquished her crown

Q: Where would 'abandon' be a reasonable alternative to 'relinquish'?

While the synonyms abandon and relinquish are close in meaning, abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up. // abandoned all hope

Q: In what contexts can 'resign' take the place of 'relinquish'?

The synonyms resign and relinquish are sometimes interchangeable, but resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle. // resigned her position

Q: When is 'surrender' a more appropriate choice than 'relinquish'?

In some situations, the words surrender and relinquish are roughly equivalent. However, surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist. // surrendered their claims

Q: When can 'waive' be used instead of 'relinquish'?

The words waive and relinquish can be used in similar contexts, but waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion. // waived the right to a trial by jury

Q: When could 'yield' be used to replace 'relinquish'?

Although the words yield and relinquish have much in common, yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force. // the troops yielded ground grudgingly

relinquish

verb

ri-ˈliŋ-kwish

Definition of relinquish next

as in to surrender

to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress the boy reluctantly relinquished the illegal fireworks to the police officer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to abdicate

to give up (as a position of authority) formally the retiring CEO relinquished his position to the company's vice president with very mixed feelings

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word relinquish different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of relinquish are abandon, resign, surrender, waive, and yield. While all these words mean "to give up completely," relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness.

relinquished her crown

Where would abandon be a reasonable alternative to relinquish?

While the synonyms abandon and relinquish are close in meaning, abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up.

abandoned all hope

In what contexts can resign take the place of relinquish?

The synonyms resign and relinquish are sometimes interchangeable, but resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle.

resigned her position

When is surrender a more appropriate choice than relinquish?

In some situations, the words surrender and relinquish are roughly equivalent. However, surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist.

surrendered their claims

When can waive be used instead of relinquish?

The words waive and relinquish can be used in similar contexts, but waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion.

waived the right to a trial by jury

When could yield be used to replace relinquish?

Although the words yield and relinquish have much in common, yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force.

the troops yielded ground grudgingly

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of relinquish Metals are natural products, but the earth does not relinquish them willingly. —

Vince Beiser, WIRED, 30 Nov. 2024 His new role would mean relinquishing his outsider critic status and working from within a massive government system, leading an agency of 80,000 employees and dealing with everything from drug approvals to food recalls to the pandemic response. —

Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 27 Nov. 2024 Wellington Mara relinquished control of football operations when Young took over. —

Dan Duggan, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024 The institution must relinquish its Association voting privileges for a four-year period. —

Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for relinquish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for relinquish

Verb

In three appearances including two in the World Series, the Dodgers righty surrendered no runs on five hits and four walks.

Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
The Chargers puffed their chest, all right, with a defense which allowed just three points in the final two quarters after surrendering points in Denver’s first three possessions.

Jay Paris, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024