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
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 relinquishes
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
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
-
At crucial moments, however, one force surrenders to the other to produce an ambiguous collaboration.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Dallas has given up the most passing yards in the league, and their secondary surrenders lots of open windows.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
France’s prime minister resigns with his government having been in power for only 18 hours.—
Eleanor Beardsley,
NPR,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Continue reading … VACANT SEAT – City councilmember resigns after vile comment made to Trump supporter sparks backlash.—
,
FOXNews.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This alignment, which occurred around October 22, renders the comet invisible from Earth.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Accidentally deploying one is considered a serious mistake, as each slide can cost tens of thousands of dollars to repack and replace, and often renders the aircraft temporarily inoperable.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
This surge in circulation delivers a fresh supply of oxygen and nutrients, which are crucial for repairing the microscopic muscle fibers that were stressed or slightly damaged during your previous workout.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
11 Nov. 2025
-
This approach delivers a level of durability and longevity that sets Otzi apart in a segment where performance and reliability truly matter.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Unlike Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World or Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn, though, Dracula lacks a true lead character—an effect of the film’s anthology format that ultimately cedes space to Jude’s AI imagery.—
Andy Crump,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
-
But at this year's Japan Mobility Show, the Delica cedes the stage to an even cooler Mitsubishi camping rig, a futuristic concept combo that expands into a multi-room base camp.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Relinquishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relinquishes. Accessed 21 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share