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 However, Princess Märtha Louise's royal family members were not interviewed in the documentary, which premiered almost two years after Princess Märtha Louise officially relinquished her royal role. Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 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 At first glance, Beijing’s willingness to play ball on TikTok looks like a sharp reversal from its years of resistance to relinquishing control over the viral video app – the first global social media hit to come out of China. Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025 To settle disputes with North Korea, for example, in 1962 and 1964 China relinquished the peak of Mount Baekdu and more than 500 square kilometers of nearby territory. David C. Kang, Foreign Affairs, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relinquish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relinquish
Verb
  • The Cowboys’ defense may have reached its lowest point last week against the Bears, surrendering 31 points, four touchdown passes and a 60 percent success rate on third downs.
    Mike Jones, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
  • It’s been a rough couple of years and an uneven few weeks for the Broncos’ secondary, which often finds itself on the receiving end of criticism for surrendering big plays and big passing yards.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • King Frederik assumed the throne in January 2024, following Queen Margrethe's decision to abdicate, and there seems to be no bad blood between the brothers.
    Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In early January 2025, the Bureau of Land Management website explained the communities are in an area that climate change is rendering uninhabitable, mentioning climate eight times.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Miu Miu leaned into tradition, rendering argyle in a restrained palette that nodded to its country club roots.
    Minty Mellon, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Rosselló would resign his post that same year, but the friendship between the two musicians has endured.
    Leila Cobo, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Deb Hall Lefevre, the CTO at Starbucks since 2022, has reportedly resigned according to Reuters, which has seen an internal memo sent to corporate staff on Monday.
    John Kell, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But at the end of each day, a mysterious boy (Eric Williams) delivers the message that Godot isn’t coming after all and will instead arrive tomorrow.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The 25-year-old attorney wins the $750,000 grand prize after delivering her emphatic closing argument.
    Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Advertisement Lee also renounced any concept of gender roles, longing for full social equality regardless of gender or race.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The company also missed the AI boom, having stopped making the chips that hyperscalers and AI giants like Nvidia badly need seven years ago, and ceding that market to Taiwan’s TSMC and Korea’s Samsung.
    Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Continues to cede the production — most importantly, touchdowns — to Mims.
    Jake Ciely, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Relinquish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relinquish. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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