resign

as in to abdicate
to give up (as a position of authority) formally following the election, the incumbent cabinet members resigned their positions so the president could feel free to pick a new administration

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word resign different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of resign are abandon, relinquish, surrender, waive, and yield. While all these words mean "to give up completely," resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle.

resigned her position

When would abandon be a good substitute for resign?

Although the words abandon and resign have much in common, abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up.

abandoned all hope

When is relinquish a more appropriate choice than resign?

The synonyms relinquish and resign are sometimes interchangeable, but relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness.

relinquished her crown

When is it sensible to use surrender instead of resign?

The words surrender and resign can be used in similar contexts, but surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist.

surrendered their claims

Where would waive be a reasonable alternative to resign?

The meanings of waive and resign largely overlap; however, waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion.

waived the right to a trial by jury

When can yield be used instead of resign?

The words yield and resign are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force.

the troops yielded ground grudgingly

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of resign He was initially suspended over the unauthorized post, then asked to resign, and ultimately fired. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025 Though initially aligned with Bovo, Rodriguez now claims political independence, distancing himself from current interim Mayor Jacqueline Garcia-Roves, who took office after Bovo resigned in April to become a lobbyist. Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025 Trump fired both Slaughter and Democrat Alvaro Bedoya, but Bedoya later resigned formally, so the court case is centered on Slaughter's claim only. Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025 Mitchell, a member of the state Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party who was elected in 2022, resigned from office a week after a jury convicted her in July of first-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools. Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for resign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resign
Verb
  • Instead of standing as a safeguard, Congress has abdicated its responsibility and has been a rubber stamp for the president’s unconstitutional whims.
    Trena Turner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
  • King Frederik assumed the throne in January 2024, following Queen Margrethe's decision to abdicate, and there seems to be no bad blood between the brothers.
    Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This act was the NCAA requirement the players relinquished control over their publicity rights as a condition of eligibility.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Rahm holed the shot with precious little green to work with to take a lead in the match that the Spaniard and his cherished partner, Tyrrell Hatton, never relinquished.
    Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The term describes the conscious decision to avoid or renounce managerial roles in order to preserve mental health, maintain balance and prioritize meaningful work.
    Jose Luis Gonzalez Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Advertisement Lee also renounced any concept of gender roles, longing for full social equality regardless of gender or race.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Resign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resign. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

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