1
as in surrenders
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in resigns
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of relinquishes
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, 11 Jan. 2026
As Buffett relinquishes the helm, investors are increasingly focused on what disappears with him.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 1 Jan. 2026
The first rule of power politics is that nobody relinquishes authority willingly.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
In a street vacation, the city relinquishes the right of way or public service easement to an adjacent property owner or owners.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
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, 11 Jan. 2026
As Buffett relinquishes the helm, investors are increasingly focused on what disappears with him.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 1 Jan. 2026
The first rule of power politics is that nobody relinquishes authority willingly.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
In a street vacation, the city relinquishes the right of way or public service easement to an adjacent property owner or owners.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relinquishes
Verb
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Andrew surrenders his Duke of York title.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Peter then surrenders to Catherine, who demands his explanation for going AWOL.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Peter Attia resigns from CBS News Celebrity doctor Peter Attia has resigned from his new contributor position at CBS News following revelations about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
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Stephen Miran resigns from his White House post as chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, CNBC confirmed.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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First, Maxon's Cinebench 2024 renders a complex scene using the company's Cinema 4D engine.—
Brian Westover,
PC Magazine,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Hong renders these universal conflicts locally specific and intimately personal.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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When in a turn of events, Theo abdicates from his position as Duke of Tintagel, and would therefore be divorcing Nan to be with Lizzie, Nan runs away to protect her baby, who would be the heir of Tintagel.—
Maelle Beauget-Uhl,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The elevator delivers you to the lobby, where hanging textiles in warm ocher tones serve as the signature art piece, dyed using dorozome, a traditional mud-dyeing technique, with soil from the building site itself.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
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Despite its size, the lantern delivers strong efficiency.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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She’s also supported revising Japan’s pacifist constitution, particularly Article 9, which renounces war and bans military forces.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Relinquishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relinquishes. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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