Synonyms of relinquish

relinquish

verb

ri-ˈliŋ-kwish 

1

as in to surrender

to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress

the boy reluctantly relinquished the illegal fireworks to the police officer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• surrender
• render
• deliver
• cede
• transfer
• yield
• abandon
• resign
• turn in
• lay down
• give up
• commit
• entrust
• forfeit
• waive
• turn over
• cough up
• hand over
• release
• renounce
• discard
• consign
• intrust
• forsake
• shed
• desert
• abnegate
• part (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• retain
• keep
• withhold

2

as in to abdicate

to give up (as a position of authority) formally

the retiring CEO relinquished his position to the company's vice president with very mixed feelings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abdicate
• resign
• renounce
• cede
• surrender
• deny
• vacate
• waive
• abnegate
• abandon
• step down (from)
• step aside (from)
• forsake
• disavow
• disown
• disclaim
• abjure
• yield
• demit
• give up
• hand over
• desert
• quit

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assume
• claim
• appropriate
• seize
• confiscate
• protect
• defend
• arrogate
• secure
• take over
• usurp
• safeguard
• guard
• wrest

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

Recent Examples of relinquish

Liberation lies in relinquishing projection, in surrendering the desire for children to mirror our priorities and accomplishments. —Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025

For decades after that, most parents who relinquished infants for adoption did not expect to see or hear from those children again. —Nicole Chung, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025

Fogerty signed a deal with Fantasy Records in 1968 but relinquished his artist royalties to owner Saul Zaentz in 1980 to get out of the contract, according to Billboard. —Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025

This act was the NCAA requirement the players relinquished control over their publicity rights as a condition of eligibility. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Sep. 2025