relinquish

relinquish

verb

Definition of RELINQUISH

1

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 cede, cough up, deliver, give up, hand over, lay down, relinquish, render, turn in, turn over, yield

Related Words commit, consign, entrust (also intrust), transfer; forfeit, release, waive; abnegate, renounce, resign; abandon, desert, discard, forsake, part (with), shed

Near Antonyms keep, retain, withhold

2

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 abnegate, cede, relinquish, renounce, resign, step aside (from), step down (from), surrender

Related Words abjure, demit, deny, disavow, disclaim, disown, waive; forsake, give up, hand over, yield; abandon, desert, quit, vacate

Near Antonyms appropriate, arrogate, assume, claim, confiscate; seize, take over, usurp, wrest; defend, guard, protect, safeguard, secure