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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cede
After six years of happily ceding the spotlight to higher-profile players like Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and Julius Randle, McDaniels offered up his commentary as a way of taking the focus off of his teammates and putting it onto his slender shoulders.
—
Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Other members who spoke to reporters at Nature News told the outlet that the board was set to meet on May 5 and planned to release a report on how the US is ceding ground to China on scientific endeavors.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026
Scientists fear the moves will collapse broad investment in fundamental research and talent development, replacing it with a narrow focus on AI, while potentially ceding American scientific dominance to global competitors.
—National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Proponents argue that Congress never had the power to cede back the land and that the local referendum failed to meet the voting requirements outlined by Congress for retrocession.
—Jesse Bedayn, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cede
Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Other members who spoke to reporters at Nature News told the outlet that the board was set to meet on May 5 and planned to release a report on how the US is ceding ground to China on scientific endeavors.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026
Scientists fear the moves will collapse broad investment in fundamental research and talent development, replacing it with a narrow focus on AI, while potentially ceding American scientific dominance to global competitors.
—National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Proponents argue that Congress never had the power to cede back the land and that the local referendum failed to meet the voting requirements outlined by Congress for retrocession.
—Jesse Bedayn, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cede
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cede
Verb
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Turn back the tape just a few weeks ago, to when the Five Stripes relinquished a 1-0 advantage in the final stretch to lose at home 2-1.—
Amna Subhan,
AJC.com,
10 May 2026
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More than 75 other nurses with Operation Nightingale school diplomas relinquished their Florida credentials, the health department said in its April 22 email in response to the Sentinel’s questions.—
Annie Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Winner may not substitute, assign or transfer Prize or redeem Prize for cash, but Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to substitute Prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
7 May 2026
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Grades are assigned using letters, with A as the best grade and F as the worst.—
Eva Flowe
Updated May 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The Republican Congress has seemingly abdicated its role as a branch of government that provides checks and balances and oversight of the executive.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
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King Philippe ascended the throne in 2013 at age 53 after his father, King Albert II, abdicated at 79 due to health concerns.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Senior captain Avery Barnes fired a two-hitter, surrendering just one run in the circle while recording two hits at the plate as Cardinal Spellman (11-2) defeated Catholic Central League foe Bishop Fenwick, 7-1.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
8 May 2026
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The animal was surrendered to City of Meriden Animal Control when authorities carried out a search warrant at the residence of 45-year-old Kristiina Kennedy on April 7.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
8 May 2026
Verb
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They are expected to face an extradition hearing on Monday before being transferred back to North Carolina to face charges.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
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Chundi expressed concern about money being transferred from Resilience to the Westlaw account, after hearing some of the testimony.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Wang has agreed to resign from public office and is expected to formally enter her guilty plea in the coming weeks as the FBI investigation continues.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
12 May 2026
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Wasserman Schultz declined to say if Cherfilus-McCormick’s decision to resign was the correct one.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Deputies rendered medical aid; however, one man and the woman succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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Perhaps Pfleger would be well advised to stick to his faith and his flock and to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, rather than to continue to pontificate from the pulpit — or even the paper.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The tests involved the new, larger rotor blades that will convey the next-gen helicopters through the rarefied Martian atmosphere, just 1 percent the density of air at sea level on Earth.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 May 2026
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Her outside-looking in remembrances (Romvari shoots scenes sometimes from the perspective of looking through a window) elliptically convey much – parental anguish about what would be the best call to action for the entire family, not the upheaval felt within the family.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cede.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cede. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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