resign

verb

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

Did you know?

Is it quit or resign?

Should you quit or should you resign from your job? No matter which one you choose, it is likely that both of these actions will have the exact same effect on your future, as they are, in this sense, fairly synonymous. However, each is more likely to be found used in specific settings, so you may wish to choose your word with care. Resign is more formal, and will often be found when a person is describing relinquishing a position or office, especially if it is done in disgrace. While it would not be incorrect to say that a member of an organization's board, a king or queen, or a political leader "quit their position," it is more likely that the word resign would be employed.

Synonyms of resign

• abdicate
• relinquish
• renounce

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

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

Bill Owens, who resigned as executive producer of 60 Minutes in April 2025, saying he could no longer be assured of editorial independence, praised Pelley for his remarks. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 7 June 2026

But by 2015, FIFA president Sepp Blatter had been forced to resign, felled by a corruption scandal, and Gianni Infantino, his successor, had changed the way the organization approved World Cup bids, going to a transparent public ballot in which every country would vote electronically. —Kevin Baxter follow june 7, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026

Tlaib, Pohutsky and more than 30 other current and former lawmakers last month signed a letter demanding that Washington resign, citing concerns about the conditions in state prisons and recent inmate deaths. —Nick Lentz, CBS News, 7 June 2026

Those exhibits named names — and not just fired Trooper Michael Proctor, the lead investigator against her, and Canton Police Sgt Sean Goode, who resigned last week. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

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

Phrases Containing resign

• resign oneself

Rhymes for resign

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• brucine
• byline

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