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
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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
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Recent Examples of cedes
Annie gets the best monologue as Maggie but cedes the part’s biggest musical moment to Babs.
—
Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Choosing silence also cedes our right to free speech.
—Jenna Norton, STAT, 12 Mar. 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, 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
Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Choosing silence also cedes our right to free speech.
—Jenna Norton, STAT, 12 Mar. 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, 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
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
-
Kang assigns it in Light and Thread.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 May 2026
-
But Manus actually incorporates multiple AI agents to perform and verify tasks, including a planner agent that assigns tasks and an executor agent that can browse and interact with websites, create spreadsheets, use various software tools, and even code new applications.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When the state abdicates its duty, the people must step in.—
William Morris,
Des Moines Register,
17 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
When Kenobi surrenders and Vader swings his blade through Kenobi’s chest, Kenobi disappears.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
-
Just like that, Cassie surrenders her image to Maddy’s control.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Pritzker’s stance conveys mostly skepticism.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
Following the blueprint unveiled at Autry’s other recently opened flagships in Milan, Paris and London, the Cannes unit conveys a sophisticated and slightly industrial vibe.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
If the sitting governor dies, resigns or is removed from office, then the lieutenant governor would assume the role.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
The 25th Amendment provides detailed procedures on what happens if a president resigns, dies in office, has a temporary disability or is no longer fit for office.—
Kirsten Matoy Carlson,
The Conversation,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Late style, in other words, renders creativity more—not less—essential.—
David L. Ulin,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
-
Voters narrowly approved the amendment on April 21, but the court’s ruling renders the vote’s result meaningless.—
David A. Lieb,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The Cambridge team instead used a process known as photocatalytic transfer hydrogenation, or PTH, which transfers hydrogen from one material to another using light energy.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 May 2026
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That engine is mated to a six-speed transmission and a chain drive that transfers that power to the rear wheels.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cedes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cedes. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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