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relinquish

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of relinquish

1 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 of relinquish

cede, cough up, deliver, give up, hand over, lay down, render, surrender, turn in, turn over, yield
Words Related to relinquish

commit, consign, entrust (also intrust), transfer

forfeit, release, waive

abnegate, renounce, resign

abandon, desert, discard, forsake, part (with), shed
Near Antonyms of relinquish

keep, retain, withhold

2 to give up (as a position of authority) formally

  • the retiring CEO relinquished his position to the companyʼs vice president with very mixed feelings
Synonyms of relinquish

abdicate, abnegate, cede, renounce, resign, step aside (from), step down (from), surrender
Words Related to relinquish

abjure, demit, deny, disavow, disclaim, disown, waive

forsake, give up, hand over, yield

abandon, desert, quit, vacate
Near Antonyms of relinquish

appropriate, arrogate, assume, claim, confiscate

seize, take over, usurp, wrest

defend, guard, protect, safeguard, secure

Synonym Discussion of relinquish

relinquish, yield, resign, surrender, abandon, waive mean to give up completely. relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness.
    • relinquished her crown
yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force.
    • the troops yielded ground grudgingly
resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle.
    • resigned her position
surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist.
    • surrendered their claims
abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up.
    • abandoned all hope
waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion.
    • waived the right to a trial by jury

Learn More about relinquish

  1. Dictionary: Definition of relinquish Spanish Central: Translation of relinquish Nglish: Translation of relinquish for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of relinquish for Arabic speakers

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