resign

1 of 2

verb (1)

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

re-sign

2 of 2

verb (2)

(ˌ)rē-ˈsīn 

re-signed; re-signing; re-signs

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

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

Verb (1)

• 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

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

Notably, Roy even called for Paxton to resign from his post as attorney general amid his 2020 bribery and abuse-of-office scandal, in which he was later acquitted by the Texas Senate. —Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026

When Ashcroft refused to sign and the White House renewed the program anyway, Mueller – and Comey – both threatened to resign. —Josh Meyer, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026

Verb

Despite being re-signed to a low-cost, one-year deal in free agency, Simmons could have an opportunity for a bigger role in the defense in his second season in Carolina. —Mike Kaye march 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2026

Baltimore also made some interesting moves to shore up its pitching staff, signing veteran righty Chris Bassitt, re-signing Zack Eflin and acquiring former top prospect Shane Baz from the Rays in a mini blockbuster. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

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

Verb (1)

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

Verb (2)

1805, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing resign

• resign oneself

Rhymes for resign

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

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