surrender

verb sur·ren·der \ sə-ˈren-dər \

Updated on: 21 May 2018

Definition of surrender

surrendered; surrendering play \sə-ˈren-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

On Thursday, Soskin, Medford and the state reached an agreement in which Soskin will surrender his interest in the real estate and Medford will pay the state $165,000.

— amanda marrazzo, McHenry County, "Man who was charged after 340 pounds of pot were found in his McHenry County mansion gets 10 years in plea deal," 26 Apr. 2018
Danny Hughes’ leadoff double in the third was the only hit Kulak surrendered.

— blake baumgartner, Naperville Sun, "Purdue recruit James Kulak strikes out career-high 13 as Neuqua Valley cools off Naperville Central," 10 Apr. 2018
Delicious pinks, blues, and yellows, mixed with ever-satisfying tiles, arches, and pools—one just can’t help but swoon and surrender to wanderlust at the ultra-dreamy spaces overflowing his feed.

— jenny xie, Curbed, "This artist creates the dreamiest places you wish were real," 21 Mar. 2018
Here's what's trending in news today: Trey Songz surrendered to LAPD on Monday on suspicion of felony domestic violence after a woman accused the singer of punching and choking her last month.

— sydney scott, Essence.com, "The Quick Read: Trey Songz Arrested On Suspicion Of Felony Domestic Violence," 20 Mar. 2018
Howard’s chapter of Moms Demand Action is focused on Howard County Democrat Del. Vanessa Atterbeary’s bill in the General Assembly to force those convicted of domestic violence to surrender their firearms.

— kate magill, Columbia Flier, "The gun debate: In Howard County, a growing chorus for stricter controls," 14 Mar. 2018
Sheriff's officials report that Patterson, a Port Barrington resident, surrendered himself to the custody of the Lake County jail on Friday morning and was released after posting 10 percent of bail set at $10,000.

— staff report, Lake County News-Sun, "Lake County deputy charged with misconduct after he 'recklessly failed' to arrest suspect in domestic abuse, sheriff says," 9 Mar. 2018
Some 30-45 minutes after the shot went off, law enforcement got Davidson to surrender, and he was taken into custody.

— breanna edwards, The Root, "Georgia Teacher Opened Fire Inside a Classroom, Sending Students Into Panic," 28 Feb. 2018
So for three days at a conference center near Washington, thousands of activists packed the ballrooms at the Conservative Political Action Conference to hear a rallying cry to never surrender or compromise.

— philip elliott, TIME.com, "Inside CPAC 2018," 24 Feb. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

surrender Synonyms

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

Tuesday, May 8, 1945 News of Germany’s unconditional surrender was received quietly in San Diego as the city focused on the war effort in the Pacific.

— sandiegouniontribune.com, "May 8, 1945: Truman proclaims V-E Day," 8 May 2018
Rehearsals for the event, which commemorates the 73rd anniversary of Nazi Germany's surrender in World War II, began earlier this month, giving the world a glimpse of what's coming.

— brad lendon, CNN, "Weapons to watch in Russia's Victory Day parade," 8 May 2018
The evacuations from besieged, northern parts of Homs province are part of an agreement reached last week between insurgents and Russia to leave the area or surrender.

— Fox News, "Rebels begin departing from Syria's central Homs province," 8 May 2018
In 1945, Germany signed an unconditional surrender at Allied headquarters in Rheims (rams), France, ending its role in World War II.

— azcentral, "AZ Memo: No health concerns in air around Hickman's, state reports; Bashas' wants new doughnut ideas; Phoenix is a hub for single homeowners," 7 May 2018
Handing over money is the ultimate representation of surrender or submission for most money slaves.

— elizabeth kiefer, Glamour, "Financial Domination: Inside the Erotic Fetish That Controls Men's Wallets," 7 May 2018
Including at the Moore House, where John Laurens negotiated the terms of surrender with British and French representatives.

— laura johnston, cleveland.com, "Exploring the Battle of Yorktown, decisive battle of Revolutionary War," 18 Apr. 2018
That limp surrender had gifted the Premier League title to Manchester City, prompting Mourinho to accuse his players of complacency.

— afp, chicagotribune.com, "Smalling, Lukaku score as Man United upend Bournmeouth," 18 Apr. 2018
Power Moves: This is a steam rolling week for you, Gemstone, and your zone of deep dreams is activated in spades, preparing you for a distinctive blend of action and surrender.

— bess matassa, Teen Vogue, "Weekly Horoscopes April 16-22," 14 Apr. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

surrender Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Near Antonyms

resistance;

Related Words

acceptance, acquiescence, concession;

compromise;

appeasement, conciliation, reconcilement, reconciliation;

capture, fall;

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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See words that rhyme with surrender Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for surrender Spanish Central: Translation of surrender Nglish: Translation of surrender for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of surrender for Arabic speakers

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surrender

Definition of surrender

Examples of surrender in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of surrender

surrender Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

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

Near Antonyms

Related Words

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

Learn More about surrender

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