resign

verb (1)

re·sign | \ ri-ˈzīn

resigned; resigning; resigns

Definition of resign

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

re-sign

verb (2)

\ (ˌ)rē-ˈsīn

re-signed; re-signing; re-signs

Definition of re-sign (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to sign again especially : to rehire (someone, such as an athlete) by means of a signed contract

intransitive verb

: to sign up again

Other Words from resign Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Is it quit or resign? More Example Sentences Learn More about resign

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Choose the Right Synonym for resign

Verb (1)

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

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.

Examples of resign in a Sentence

Verb (1)

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: Verb

In addition to losing her book deal, Fairstein was forced earlier this week to resign from the board of the nonprofit Safe Horizon. — Cicero Estrella, The Mercury News, "Central Park 5 prosecutor loses book deal following fallout from Netflix miniseries," 7 June 2019 True Religion named Farla Efros interim CEO after Chelsea Grayson resigned from the job. — Kristen Bellstrom, Fortune, "The Rise of A.I. Threatens to Leave Women Behind: Broadsheet," 6 June 2019 The vote comes almost a month after Rahmat Shoureshi, PSU’s former president, resigned under pressure from the university’s trustees. — oregonlive.com, "Acting PSU President Stephen Percy recommended for interim president," 6 June 2019 Before the parliamentary session convened, former Democrat Party leader and former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva resigned his seat in the House of Representatives in protest of his party's decision to support Prayut. — Helen Regan, CNN, "Thailand's junta chief elected as country's next prime minister," 6 June 2019 Carstarphen resigned after one season to focus on a run for Camden City Council. — Phil Anastasia, https://www.inquirer.com, "Camden High to hire Rick Brunson as boys’ basketball coach," 5 June 2019 Ultimately, Tully and another Dukakis campaign staffer resigned over their role in the incident. — Author: Neena Satija, Anchorage Daily News, "Echoes of Biden’s 1987 plagiarism scandal continue to reverberate," 5 June 2019 Demonstrations are showing no sign of fizzling out three weeks after Bouteflika was forced to resign when confronted with weeks of mushrooming protests against his 20-year rule. — Souhail Karam, Bloomberg.com, "Billionaire Purge Ensnares Algerian Elites After Leader's Ouster," 22 Apr. 2019 State lawmakers who called on him to resign are now all smiles, standing beside him at news conferences. — Alan Suderman, The Seattle Times, "Virginia governor finds ways to get beyond blackface scandal," 29 Mar. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'resign.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.