resign

1 of 2

verb (1)

re·​sign ri-ˈzīn 

resigned; resigning; resigns

transitive verb

1

: relegate, consign

especially : to give (oneself) over without resistance

resigned herself to her fate

2

: to give up deliberately

especially : to renounce (something, such as a right or position) by a formal act

intransitive verb

1

: to give up one's office or position : quit

2

: to accept something as inevitable : submit

resignedness

ri-ˈzī-nəd-nəs 

noun

resigner

ri-ˈzī-nər 

noun

re-sign

2 of 2

verb (2)

(ˌ)rē-ˈsīn 

re-signed; re-signing; re-signs

transitive verb

: to sign again

especially : to rehire (someone, such as an athlete) by means of a signed contract

intransitive verb

: to sign up again

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• abdicate
• abnegate
• cede
• relinquish
• renounce
• step aside (from)
• step down (from)
• surrender

Choose the Right Synonym for resign

relinquish, yield, resign, surrender, abandon, waive mean to give up completely.

relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness.

relinquished her crown

yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force.

the troops yielded ground grudgingly

resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle.

resigned her position

surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist.

surrendered their claims

abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up.

abandoned all hope

waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion.

waived the right to a trial by jury

abdicate, renounce, resign mean to give up a position with no possibility of resuming it.

abdicate implies a giving up of sovereign power or sometimes an evading of responsibility such as that of a parent.

abdicated the throne

renounce may replace it but often implies additionally a sacrifice for a greater end.

renounced her inheritance by marrying a commoner

resign applies to the giving up of an unexpired office or trust.

resigned from the board

Examples of resign in a Sentence

Verb (1)

The senator was forced to resign his position.

The newspaper's editor resigned after the scandal.

He resigned from his job as principal of the school.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Eric Musselman, who coached Arkansas the last five seasons and resigned to take the Southern Cal job, was paid $4.2 million annually. —Bob Holt, arkansasonline.com, 21 Apr. 2024

In August, Aldama resigned due to continued harassment and threats of being fired. —Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 24 Apr. 2024

After Ben-Gurion resigned in 1963, Israelis were left with a weak and hesitant leadership and a deep economic crisis. —Tom Segev, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024

About three years ago, Alba resigned from State Parks, leaving housing provided by the state along the coast. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024

Activists have called on the agency's top executive, Willie Hines, to resign. —Journal Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2024

Posted by Greg Norman 2 hour(s) ago Republican NY congresswoman calls for Columbia University president to resign A Republican congresswoman from New York is calling Monday for Columbia University President Minouche Shafik to resign over anti-Israel demonstrations on campus. —Fox News, 22 Apr. 2024

Later, one of the board members targeted for removal resigned, creating a vacancy for the mayor to fill. —Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024

It had been widely reported since Monday that Calipari, Kentucky's coach the previous 15 seasons, would take the Arkansas job and replace Eric Musselman, who resigned last Thursday after five seasons to become Southern Cal's coach. —Bob Holt, arkansasonline.com, 11 Apr. 2024

Verb

Instead, the Dolphins ultimately shot higher and landed Kendall Fuller, who has a better career body of work, while also re-signing Nik Needham. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024

Brittney Griner re-signs with Phoenix Mercury In 2019, Brittney and Chelle Griner got married about one year after the athlete proposed, according to People. —Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024

Lamm re-signed to the Dolphins on a one-year deal last offseason and started the first two games of the season at left tackle as Terron Armstead dealt with an injury. —Daniel Oyefusi, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024

But after being promoted to general manager in December, freeing Vanney to concentrate on coaching, Kuntz really went to work, overhauling the roster by trading or declining to re-sign 11 players, including the team captain and the team leaders in both goals and assists. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2024

McIntyre is proving his worth to WWE right now, but WWE hasn’t been in any rush to re-sign top stars to high-dollar deals, as evidenced by Becky Lynch’s soon-to-be-expiring contract. —Blake Oestriecher, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024

The Panthers re-signed Troy Hill and picked up Dane Jackson, who general manager Dan Morgan advocated for in Buffalo’s front office years ago, but more could be done at the position. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 29 Mar. 2024

Jansen was re-signed earlier this month to make sure this trio stayed in place. —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2024

Bellinger re-signed with the Cubs, while Montgomery remains a free agent. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French resigner, from Latin resignare, literally, to unseal, cancel, from re- + signare to sign, seal — more at sign

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (2)

1805, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing resign

• resign oneself

Kids Definition

resign

verb

re·​sign ri-ˈzīn 

1

: to give up by a formal or official act

resign an office

2

: to give up an office or position : quit

3

: to yield to without resistance

resign oneself to disappointment