Synonyms of relinquish

relinquish

verb

ri-ˈliŋ-kwish 

1

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

• surrender
• render
• deliver
• cede
• yield
• transfer
• abandon
• resign
• turn in
• lay down
• give up
• commit
• entrust
• waive
• forfeit
• turn over
• cough up
• hand over
• release
• renounce
• discard
• consign
• forsake
• shed
• desert
• abnegate
• part (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• retain
• keep
• withhold

2

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

• abdicate
• resign
• renounce
• cede
• surrender
• deny
• vacate
• waive
• abnegate
• abandon
• step down (from)
• step aside (from)
• forsake
• disavow
• disown
• disclaim
• abjure
• yield
• demit
• give up
• hand over
• desert
• quit

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assume
• claim
• appropriate
• seize
• confiscate
• protect
• defend
• arrogate
• secure
• take over
• usurp
• safeguard
• guard
• wrest

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

Recent Examples of relinquish

Pelosi was forced to relinquish the gavel in 2011 after a Republican Tea Party wave flipped the House to the GOP. —Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025

Republicans relinquishing control of one or both chambers of Congress in 2026 will render the president a lame duck for the remainder of his second term, and Democrats have an early 4-point advantage on generic congressional ballot polling. —Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025

The profits of Warren Buffett‘s company improved 17% thanks to a relatively mild hurricane season and more paper investment gains this year as Berkshire Hathaway prepares for the legendary 95-year-old investor to relinquish the CEO title in January. —Josh Funk, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025

McMillon said that as AI continues to proliferate and impact the ways that people’s lives and daily activities work, Walmart needs to stay an active part of the transformation, even if that means relinquishing control of how that technology evolves. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 4 Nov. 2025