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

But the vast majority of Republicans in both chambers voted to back the war and cede congressional war powers to Trump. — Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

Nola has surrendered 23 home runs in 20 starts, coughing up multiple homers in five of his last seven turns, and ceding one in one of the outlier contests. — Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Following its defeat in the wars, China was forced to cede territory and grant commercial concessions to Britain. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026

Rather than cede power, Maduro sent his security forces to attack protesters and round up opponents. — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 20 July 2026