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
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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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The ayatollahs won’t make any deal that surrenders their nuclear program.—
Rob Crilly,
The Washington Examiner,
22 May 2026
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Alex Murdaugh surrenders Murdaugh turned himself in at the Hampton County Detention Center.—
Marlene Lenthang,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Verb
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And Evanston resident Jeff Boarini, who challenged Biss in the 2025 mayor election and lost, reaffirmed his intent to run for mayor if Biss resigns in time to spur a special election.—
Shun Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2026
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Lieutenant governor If the sitting governor dies, resigns or is removed from office, then the lieutenant governor would assume the role.—
Times staff,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Without revealing too much, this structure from al-Mansour and co-writer Brad Niemann ends up having a roundabout reason too, given a bizarre third-act twist that renders moot the film’s entire point of view, along with its central themes.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
8 June 2026
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The cooler itself projects a custom image onto these spinning blades, which renders them as a floating hologram that hovers above the blades, larger than their diameter.—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
7 June 2026
Verb
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When the state abdicates its duty, the people must step in.—
William Morris,
Des Moines Register,
17 Mar. 2026
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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
Verb
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Through this deceptively simple framework, Hiraide delivers a poetic and poignant meditation on the passage of time, the meaning of work and love, and the surprise of finding joy in life’s ephemeral details.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
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If the fight delivers even half the drama of the pre-fight trash talk, Sunday's fight on the South Lawn could be a thing of legend.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Miami will have the ability to use multiple sizable salary cap exceptions if Wiggins opts out or if Wiggins stays but Miami renounces Powell, which remove his cap hold and eliminate his Bird rights.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
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The first follows the Rajput king Ratansen of Chitor (a fortress in what is now Chittorgarh, Rajasthan), who renounces his throne and travels as a yogi (wandering ascetic) to the island kingdom of Simhal to win the legendary Padmavati.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That’s what happens when the hegemon cedes hegemony.—
Robert Kagan,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
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In this instance, the goalie cedes a lot of ice behind him to cover off a pass.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relinquishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relinquishes. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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