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
In this instance, the goalie cedes a lot of ice behind him to cover off a pass.
—
Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 9 May 2026
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
Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 9 May 2026
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
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
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Commencing an investigation, Bernal unwittingly assigns Dahlia and his nephew Charlie, an ex-cop and Dahlia’s ex-lover, leading to a fraught reunion.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
-
Under current law the Legislature cannot, merely by passing a bill, grant to the attorney general prosecutorial authority that the Texas constitution expressly assigns to district attorneys.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 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
-
Alex Murdaugh surrenders Murdaugh turned himself in at the Hampton County Detention Center.—
Marlene Lenthang,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
-
Stray animals or surrenders will no longer be accepted at police stations in most cases, and neighborhood rescues are no longer an option for officers.—
Charlie De Mar,
CBS News,
12 May 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 sentiment transfers well to potato salad.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 May 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Cedes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cedes. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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