as in surrender
the usually forced yielding of one's person or possessions to the control of another
the cession of the southern territories was part of the peace treaty
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Recent Examples of cession
Meanwhile, Schlafly joined Loeb and other conservative leaders on the Emergency Committee to Save the U.S. Canal Zone to lambast any cession of the Canal as threatening the nation’s security.
—
Aaron Coy Moulton / Made By History, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
Zelensky also addressed reports suggesting that President-elect Donald Trump might propose a peace plan involving Ukraine's cession of occupied lands in exchange for NATO membership.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024
In 1788, there were three avenues for lawful colonisation: conquest through war; cession by treaty; and occupation of a land declared terra nullius.
—Maggie Knight-Williams, refinery29.com, 22 Jan. 2024
By the time of the cession, only 50,000 Indigenous people were estimated to be left, as well as 483 Russians and 1,421 Creoles (descendants of Russian men and Indigenous women).
—William L. Iggiagruk Hensley, The Conversation, 29 Mar. 2017
See All Example Sentences for cession
Aaron Coy Moulton / Made By History, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
Zelensky also addressed reports suggesting that President-elect Donald Trump might propose a peace plan involving Ukraine's cession of occupied lands in exchange for NATO membership.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024
In 1788, there were three avenues for lawful colonisation: conquest through war; cession by treaty; and occupation of a land declared terra nullius.
—Maggie Knight-Williams, refinery29.com, 22 Jan. 2024
By the time of the cession, only 50,000 Indigenous people were estimated to be left, as well as 483 Russians and 1,421 Creoles (descendants of Russian men and Indigenous women).
—William L. Iggiagruk Hensley, The Conversation, 29 Mar. 2017
See All Example Sentences for cession
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cession
Noun
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The Celtics score six more points per game (116) than the Rockets surrender (110).—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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The firm’s lawyers also stood by the congresswoman’s side after her surrender last November and at subsequent hearings where she was scheduled to be arraigned.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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With their vaunted defense, the Seahawks grabbed the Patriots and squeezed them into submission.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Walker, a fourth-year pro, rushed for a game-high 135 yards as Seattle’s offense did enough to let its defense smother New England into submission.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In response, Moreno signed a voluntary relinquishment of Spa Bar’s massage establishment license in July.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
10 Dec. 2025
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But in 2022, when people returned to their offices or got new jobs and work schedules changed, the San Clemente shelter relinquishments jumped 87%, with 131 animals dropped off.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
25 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cession.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cession. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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