relinquish

Synonym Chooser

How is the word relinquish different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of relinquish are abandon, resign, surrender, waive, and yield. While all these words mean "to give up completely," relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness.

relinquished her crown

Where would abandon be a reasonable alternative to relinquish?

While the synonyms abandon and relinquish are close in meaning, abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up.

abandoned all hope

In what contexts can resign take the place of relinquish?

The synonyms resign and relinquish are sometimes interchangeable, but resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle.

resigned her position

When is surrender a more appropriate choice than relinquish?

In some situations, the words surrender and relinquish are roughly equivalent. However, surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist.

surrendered their claims

When can waive be used instead of relinquish?

The words waive and relinquish can be used in similar contexts, but waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion.

waived the right to a trial by jury

When could yield be used to replace relinquish?

Although the words yield and relinquish have much in common, yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force.

the troops yielded ground grudgingly

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 relinquish Brunschwig, who was previously Fendi chairman and CEO, had also been named chief strategy officer of OTB, but relinquished that role, too. Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025 Communist Party leaders dismissed the Tibetan leader’s Strasbourg proposal in 1988, in which the Dalai Lama relinquished the demand for full independence and instead proposed genuine autonomy for Tibet under Chinese sovereignty. Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025 She had been relinquished by her owner to another shelter for chronically attacking her own tail. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025 More importantly they were shocked and saddened to hear what was happening, so intervened quickly, speaking to staff on the phone to confirm their desire to relinquish ownership of Mochi. Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relinquish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relinquish
Verb
  • But on a day when Mizzou amassed 595 total yards, converted 4 of 5 fourth downs and got an excellent effort from first-year starting quarterback Beau Pribula, surrendering possession had to fill Kansas followers with a sense of dread.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
  • After allowing 18 chunk plays against Appalachian State, Charlotte surrendered just eight on Saturday night.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The federal government has functionally abdicated its role in keeping Americans safe from dangerous illness.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
  • This isn't about abdicating responsibility.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • This deepening also has an index in the formal features of his poetry—the ambiguity of his pronouns, the firm particularity of his register of images—which teeters between the mundane and the epiphanic, and renders this imbalance itself into view.
    Elaine L. Wang September 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
  • When workers are used as invisible inputs in opaque AI systems that determine hiring, promotions and surveillance protocols, their autonomy can be eroded—and traditional labor rights rendered toothless.
    James Felton Keith, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Elizondo resigned and went public in October 2017 after 10 years of running a Pentagon program to investigate UFO sightings.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Along with Monarez, the committee will hear from Debra Houry, the former chief medical officer for the CDC, who resigned—alongside two other high-ranking CDC leaders—upon Monarez's ouster.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Sidefeel Corduroy Wide-leg Pants Corduroy is the epitome of fall fashion, and these flare pants deliver all the cozy, retro vibes without sacrificing comfort.
    Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Under orders from General Erinmore (Colin Firth), the pair must traverse enemy lines to deliver a life-or-death message to Colonel Mackenzie (Benedict Cumberbatch), halting an attack that would endanger more than 1,000 men.
    Emy LaCroix, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Advertisement Lee also renounced any concept of gender roles, longing for full social equality regardless of gender or race.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
  • On another, the Internal Revenue Code stands ready with its expatriation tax regime—potentially ensnaring not only those who voluntarily renounce their citizenship but also those whose citizenship is stripped away.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Even politicians from his own party grew frustrated over his unwillingness to cede decision-making to prime ministers or MPs.
    Cole Stangler, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
  • However, ceding parts of a process or role to AI can be difficult for many, including HR pros who pride themselves on the humanity underscoring their work.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Relinquish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relinquish. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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