1
as in relinquishes
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress
she reluctantly ceded her position as leader
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in assigns
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in abdicates
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 cedes
The specialization that cedes politics, economics or communication to separate disciplines is, in sociology, an invitation to synthesize and to consider how these broad social processes engage, reinforce or conflict with one another.
—
Wendy Nelson Espeland, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
The lead-up to Kennedy’s circus of sci-fi fantasists and food bloggers provides an object lesson in how the left cedes fertile political territory to the right.
—Annie Levin, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
The specialization that cedes politics, economics or communication to separate disciplines is, in sociology, an invitation to synthesize and to consider how these broad social processes engage, reinforce or conflict with one another.
—Wendy Nelson Espeland, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
In this case, Davis is more amused than embarrassed, and soon cedes the new man to Winnie.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Zelensky doesn’t have the domestic backing necessary for a deal that cedes territory.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 28 Dec. 2025
The other major stumbling block is the future of Ukraine’s Donbas region, which Russia is demanding Kyiv cedes control of as a condition of the deal.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 16 Dec. 2025
Locals refer to East River and West River, and the wetness and moisture of the Great Lakes and Mississippi basin—its thick canopy of trees, its suppleness—cedes to an aridity and expansiveness that bears its own harsh beauty.
—Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025
But at this year's Japan Mobility Show, the Delica cedes the stage to an even cooler Mitsubishi camping rig, a futuristic concept combo that expands into a multi-room base camp.
—New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
Wendy Nelson Espeland, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
The lead-up to Kennedy’s circus of sci-fi fantasists and food bloggers provides an object lesson in how the left cedes fertile political territory to the right.
—Annie Levin, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
The specialization that cedes politics, economics or communication to separate disciplines is, in sociology, an invitation to synthesize and to consider how these broad social processes engage, reinforce or conflict with one another.
—Wendy Nelson Espeland, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
In this case, Davis is more amused than embarrassed, and soon cedes the new man to Winnie.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Zelensky doesn’t have the domestic backing necessary for a deal that cedes territory.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 28 Dec. 2025
The other major stumbling block is the future of Ukraine’s Donbas region, which Russia is demanding Kyiv cedes control of as a condition of the deal.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 16 Dec. 2025
Locals refer to East River and West River, and the wetness and moisture of the Great Lakes and Mississippi basin—its thick canopy of trees, its suppleness—cedes to an aridity and expansiveness that bears its own harsh beauty.
—Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025
But at this year's Japan Mobility Show, the Delica cedes the stage to an even cooler Mitsubishi camping rig, a futuristic concept combo that expands into a multi-room base camp.
—New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cedes
Verb
-
Could this be the anarchic mind that emerges when the ego relinquishes its hold?—
Michael Pollan,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
-
If a player chooses not to negotiate with the Panthers, that player will be unable to sign elsewhere, unless Carolina relinquishes his rights by not offering him a tender.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The answer begins with understanding a trade chart — a diagram that assigns a numerical value to every pick in the draft.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Heldman and Nicholson’s lucid, intelligent script thus assigns characters very different, more nuanced motivations from those we are used to in iterations of this story.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When the federal government abdicates its responsibility for public health, states, localities, and communities of experts can still try to fill the void.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
24 Sep. 2025
-
When in a turn of events, Theo abdicates from his position as Duke of Tintagel, and would therefore be divorcing Nan to be with Lizzie, Nan runs away to protect her baby, who would be the heir of Tintagel.—
Maelle Beauget-Uhl,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Andrew surrenders his Duke of York title.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Peter then surrenders to Catherine, who demands his explanation for going AWOL.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Lenderman conveys this perfectly, despite having never played it live before.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Mary does nothing to hide her irritability with him, something Metcalf conveys to perfection.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Peter Attia resigns from CBS News Celebrity doctor Peter Attia has resigned from his new contributor position at CBS News following revelations about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Stephen Miran resigns from his White House post as chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, CNBC confirmed.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The audience is not privy to whether this tale is real or a fantasy, though either way, Haroun renders it beautifully in collaboration with cinematographer Mathieu Giombini.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The Montreal producer’s pearlescent new album renders heartbreak and obsession in patient waves of ambient, dub techno, and progressive house.—
Kiana Mickles,
Pitchfork,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The facility works closely with Hoover Dam and transfers power to the Los Angeles basin, McMahill said.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The transfer shell game The problems compound when ICE transfers detainees without notice, a practice attorneys said is a kind of shell game designed to frustrate legal challenges.—
Ben Fenwick,
Oklahoma Watch,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cedes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cedes. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
