resign

verb (1)

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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 Phrases Containing resign Learn More About resign

Other Words from resign

Verb (1)

resignedness \ ri-ˈzī-nəd-nəs

\ noun

resigner \ ri-ˈzī-nər

\ noun

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 Labour leader Keir Starmer has called on Johnson to resign over the scandal. — Karla Adam, Washington Post, 12 May 2022 The Ohio Republican Party called on Gonzalez to resign and Trump held his first rally during the election cycle in Lorain County to back Miller. — Sabrina Eaton, cleveland, 3 May 2022 Representative Clay Higgins, of Louisiana, called on Mayorkas to resign. — NBC News, 1 May 2022 Only a single Conservative lawmaker, Mark Harper, called on Mr. Johnson to resign. — New York Times, 19 Apr. 2022 Opposition leader Keir Starmer of the Labour Party and Ed Davey, head of the Liberal Democrats, have both called on him to resign for breaking the ministerial code as have others in Westminster. — Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2022 Jim Tedisco, R-Glenville, called on Benjamin to resign, pointing to the public distraction caused by the myriad scandals that surrounded Hochul's predecessor, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, last fall. — Sarah Taddeo, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2022 House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has also called on Fortenberry to resign. — Zak Hudak, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2022 The post received criticism from many on social media including from New York State Republican Committee Chairman who called on May to resign. — Andrew Mark Miller, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2022 See More

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.

Learn More About resign

From the Editors at Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Entries Near resign

resight

resign

re-sign

Statistics for resign

Last Updated

17 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Resign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resign. Accessed 23 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for resign

resign

verb

re·sign | \ ri-ˈzīn

resigned; resigning

Kids Definition of resign

1 : to give up (a job or position) by a formal or official act

2 : to prepare to accept something unpleasant Unable to sleep, I resigned myself to await his return …— Mildred D. Taylor, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry