Synonyms of cede

cede

verb

ˈsēd 

1

as in to relinquish

to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress

she reluctantly ceded her position as leader

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relinquish
• surrender
• render
• deliver
• yield
• abandon
• transfer
• turn in
• resign
• give up
• lay down
• turn over
• cough up
• waive
• hand over
• entrust
• commit
• forfeit
• renounce
• discard
• release
• consign
• forsake
• shed
• desert
• abnegate
• part (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• retain
• keep
• withhold

2

as in to assign

to give over the legal possession or ownership of

Spain ceded Puerto Rico to the United States as part of the settlement of the Spanish-American War

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relinquish
• assign
• transfer
• convey
• bequeath
• lend
• donate
• dispose of
• alienate
• leave
• alien
• deed
• grant
• entrust
• rent
• will
• lease
• move
• pass (down)
• contribute
• make over
• transmit
• surrender
• confer
• pass
• present
• bestow
• loan
• commit
• commend
• yield
• deliver
• turn in
• trust
• vest
• turn over
• hand down
• release
• let
• consign
• hand over

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expropriate

3

as in to abdicate

to give up (as a position of authority) formally

the President officially cedes his position on the January 20th immediately following the presidential election

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relinquish
• abdicate
• resign
• renounce
• surrender
• deny
• waive
• vacate
• abnegate
• step down (from)
• abandon
• disavow
• disclaim
• disown
• forsake
• abjure
• step aside (from)
• yield
• demit
• give up
• hand over
• desert
• quit

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assume
• claim
• appropriate
• seize
• protect
• confiscate
• take over
• arrogate
• defend
• usurp
• secure
• safeguard
• guard
• wrest

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cede

When the Spanish settlers decamped for Cuba in 1763 after ceding Florida to the English, the few surviving Tequesta, their numbers decimated by 200 years of captivity and slavery, conflict and ill treatment, are believed to have departed with them. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026

This strategy contrasts with running brands like On and Hoka, reporting clear sales growth in performance running, a segment Nike ceded. — Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

As Jimmy is looking for options to simultaneously cut costs and jettison the property entirely, Sydney is trying to figure out how to do a dinner service with a pantry that’s nearly empty and a former mentor/partner/colleague, in Carmy, who is very bad at actually ceding control. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026

But by anchoring its campaign to the legal system, the movement has ceded terrain on the ground. — Rachel Rebouché, The Conversation, 23 June 2026