surrender

verb sur·ren·der \ sə-ˈren-dər \

Definition of surrender

surrendered; surrendering play \-d(ə-)riŋ\

transitive verb

1 a :to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand

surrendered the fort

b :to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another

2 a :to give (oneself) up into the power of another especially as a prisoner

b :to give (oneself) over to something (such as an influence)

intransitive verb

:to give oneself up into the power of another :yield

See surrender defined for English-language learners

See surrender defined for kids

Examples of surrender in a Sentence

The enemy finally surrendered after three days of fighting.
The gunman surrendered and was taken into custody.
The troops were forced to surrender the fort.
They were required to surrender their passports.
the surrendering of land to the government
He refused to surrender to despair.
He refused to surrender himself to despair.

Recent Examples of surrender from the Web

This is the year when reasonable men surrendered to unreason — when political tribalism trumped human decency.

— david french, National Review, "Antifa Just Showed Its True Colors. Again.," 28 Aug. 2017
As a condition of his release, Woulfe must surrender his passport and cannot operate a motor vehicle, the judge ordered.

— zak koeske, Daily Southtown, "Bond reduced for Beecher man charged in fatal crash," 25 Aug. 2017
The attackers could try to outwait the defenders and force them to surrender by starving them out.

— william gurstelle, Popular Mechanics, "How to Storm a Castle," 10 Aug. 2017
In that contest, Glendale led, 13-12, heading into the fourth quarter before surrendering nine unanswered points.

— andrew j. campa, Glendale News-Press, "Glendale High football schedule undergoes pair of changes," 8 Aug. 2017
Crescenta Valley surrendered three runs in the bottom of the inning and suffered a 6-5 loss to Tehachapi in its opening game of the Section 2 Tournament at Granada Hills Little League Fields.

— charles rich, Glendale News-Press, "Crescenta Valley Junior baseball All-Stars suffer disappointing defeat," 14 July 2017
In 2015, Jones was convicted of a domestic battery and, as a result, had to surrender a DNA sample, which was submitted to a national database.

— clifford ward, Wheaton Glen Ellyn, "Man to stand trial in January for 1985 slaying of girl, 15, near Glen Ellyn," 13 July 2017
Zac Lowther made the start and pitched into the fourth, surrendering his first runs in three starts.

— randy mcroberts, The Aegis, "Craport drives in 6, IronBirds roll to 10-3 win over Auburn," 13 July 2017
Jean Segura added another two-run homer on a fastball in the second as Vargas surrendered three homers in one start for the first time since June 27, 2014.

— rustin dodd, kansascity, "Salvador Perez's late homer lifts Royals to 9-6 victory over the Mariners," 6 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of surrender

Middle English surrendren, from surrendre, noun

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

surrender Synonyms

Synonyms

cede, cough up, deliver, give up, hand over, lay down, relinquish, render, turn in, turn over, yield

Antonyms

resist

Related Words

commit, consign, entrust (also intrust), transfer; forfeit, release, waive; abnegate, renounce, resign; abandon, desert, discard, forsake, part (with), shed

Near Antonyms

keep, retain, withhold

Synonym Discussion of surrender

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

surrender

noun

Definition of surrender

1 a :the action of yielding one's person or giving up the possession of something especially into the power of another

b :the relinquishment by a patentee of rights or claims under a patent

c :the delivery of a principal into lawful custody by bail — called also surrender by bail

d :the voluntary cancellation of the legal liability of an insurance company by the insured and beneficiary for a consideration

e :the delivery of a fugitive from justice by one government to another

2 :an instance of surrendering

See surrender defined for English-language learners

Examples of surrender in a Sentence

Their surrender was formalized in a treaty.
They demanded an unconditional surrender.

Recent Examples of surrender from the Web

The conflict can’t be solved by compromise, only by one side’s surrender.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "The Republican Budget Fight, Explained in 5 Minutes," 24 Aug. 2017
On Sept. 2, 1945, a formal surrender ceremony took place in Tokyo Bay aboard the USS Missouri.

— mort mazor, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Veterans commemorate end of World War II," 24 Aug. 2017
A tradition begun in 1961 to commemorate the 1945 Japanese surrender, this year marked the parade's 56th installment.

— janice steinhagen, Courant Community, "Moosup Hosts 56th Annual V-J Day Parade," 23 Aug. 2017
The conflict’s end is not likely to be marked by the Taliban signing a surrender document.

— krishnadev calamur, The Atlantic, "Trump's Plan for Afghanistan," 21 Aug. 2017
The Franco-Dutch group will buy a 31% stake in Virgin Atlantic for $288 million, marking founder Richard Branson’s surrender of control after 33 years.

— alan murray, Fortune, "CEO Daily: Friday, 28th July," 28 July 2017
Police believe Lloyd was armed, but did not have a gun with him at the time of his surrender, Gillespie said.

— holly v. hays, Indianapolis Star, "4-hour SWAT standoff ends peacefully on west side," 22 June 2017
Days later, Placencia’s lawyer contacted deputies about the shooting, and the surrender was arranged.

— lyndsay winkley, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Man wanted in Pauma Valley killing surrenders," 22 June 2017
Whatever Gen. Robert E. Lee had surrendered in Virginia, the Army of the Trans-Mississippi had held out until late May, and even with its formal surrender on June 2, a number of ex-rebels in the region took to bushwhacking and plunder. 2.

— danielle tcholakian, Longreads, "Celebrating a Second Independence Day: A Juneteenth Reading List," 21 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of surrender

Middle English surrendre, from Anglo-French, from surrendre, susrendre to relinquish, from sur- & sus-, suz under + rendre to give back — more at render, sous

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

surrender Synonyms

Synonyms

capitulating, capitulation, cession, handover, relinquishment, rendition, submission, submitting

Related Words

acceptance, acquiescence, concession; compromise; appeasement, conciliation, reconcilement, reconciliation; capture, fall

Near Antonyms

resistance

SURRENDER Defined for English Language Learners

surrender

verb

Definition of surrender for English Language Learners

: to agree to stop fighting, hiding, resisting, etc., because you know that you will not win or succeed
: to give the control or use of (something) to someone else
: to allow something (such as a habit or desire) to influence or control you

surrender

noun

Definition of surrender for English Language Learners

: an agreement to stop fighting, hiding, resisting, etc., because you know that you will not win or succeed : an act of surrendering
: the act of giving the control or use of something to someone else
: the act of allowing yourself to be influenced or controlled by someone or something

SURRENDER Defined for Kids

surrender

verb sur·ren·der \ sə-ˈren-dər \

Definition of surrender for Students

surrendered; surrendering

1 :to give up after a struggle

The soldiers surrendered.

We'll never surrender the fort.

2 :to let go of :relinquish

We surrendered our place in line.

surrender

noun

Definition of surrender for Students

1 :the act of giving up after a struggle

2 :the act of giving something over to the possession or control of someone else

Law Dictionary

surrender

transitive verb sur·ren·der

legal Definition of surrender

1 a :to yield to the control or possession of another

surrender the leased premises

surrender collateral to a creditor

b :to give up completely or agree to forgo

c :to cancel (one's insurance policy) voluntarily

2 :to give over to the custody of the law

surrender a defendant

intransitive verb

:to give oneself up

surrender

noun

legal Definition of surrender

:an act or instance of surrendering

discharge an obligor by surrender of a promissory note

; especially :the yielding of an estate by a tenant to the landlord so that the leasehold interest is extinguished by mutual agreement

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Origin and Etymology of surrender

surrender Synonyms

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Synonym Discussion of surrender

surrender

Definition of surrender

Examples of surrender in a Sentence

Recent Examples of surrender from the Web

Origin and Etymology of surrender

surrender Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

SURRENDER Defined for English Language Learners

surrender

Definition of surrender for English Language Learners

surrender

Definition of surrender for English Language Learners

SURRENDER Defined for Kids

surrender

Definition of surrender for Students

surrender

Definition of surrender for Students

Law Dictionary

surrender

legal Definition of surrender

surrender

legal Definition of surrender

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