relinquish

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

Example 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 Rahm holed the shot with precious little green to work with to take a lead in the match that the Spaniard and his cherished partner, Tyrrell Hatton, never relinquished. Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025 In the meantime, Kraft can leave more money behind for his extended family, approximately $740 million, without relinquishing control of the team. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025 Yet in Week 1, in Brazil, the Chargers took a 10-0 lead against Kansas City, allowed 12 unanswered points and never relinquished the lead. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 24 Sep. 2025 In the latest demands of Intel, the government willingly relinquished the ability to exert control, despite being the largest holder of Intel’s shares. Andrew King, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relinquish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relinquish
Verb
  • Aside from a few brief side conversations, there wasn’t much to say after surrendering a season-high 379 passing yards to Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Lacy was later charged with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run with death and reckless operation of a vehicle and surrendered to police in mid-January.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Philippe's grandfather, King Leopold III, also abdicated in 1951 amid a political crisis in an effort to safeguard the monarchy.
    Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Instead of standing as a safeguard, Congress has abdicated its responsibility and has been a rubber stamp for the president’s unconstitutional whims.
    Trena Turner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As Riofrancos notes, approximately 69 percent of transition minerals—and a whopping 85 percent of lithium reserves—are in or near Indigenous or poor communities across the globe, rendering these groups disproportionately vulnerable to water contamination, displacement, and economic insecurity.
    Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Their skin is separated from the meat so the fat can render beneath it, crisping the surface while basting the flesh from within.
    Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That figure, already the highest on record, is expected to be eclipsed in 2025 as the focus on CEO accountability intensifies, with 25 CEOs resigning year to date after coming under activist pressure, with 20% of the departures occurring at S&P 500 companies.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Fix needed, fast If Lecornu’s efforts over the next few hours fail, Macron will be faced with the choice of appointing a new PM, dissolving parliament and calling fresh parliamentary elections, or resigning.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • McKinstry delivered in the fifth inning, hitting a homer and tying the game 2-2.
    Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Jones delivered with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Warren that marked the first receiving TD of his career.
    James Boyd, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Hamas fighters who renounce fighting and wish to remain in Gaza will be granted amnesty, while others can take advantage of safe passage to third countries.
    Laura Kelly, The Hill, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The term describes the conscious decision to avoid or renounce managerial roles in order to preserve mental health, maintain balance and prioritize meaningful work.
    Jose Luis Gonzalez Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • America should basically cede that key technology of the Great Progression to Chinese global leadership.
    Peter Leyden, Big Think, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The unpalatable alternative for Macron would be dissolving parliament again, ceding to pressure from the far right in particular for another unscheduled cycle of legislative elections.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Relinquish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relinquish. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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