1
as in surrendering
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 abdicating
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 relinquishing
Loth promptly went out and took care of business, taking the lead early before briefly relinquishing it, then pulling away down the stretch.
—
Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 6 June 2026
Consumers are intrigued by convenience, but at the same time clearly uneasy about relinquishing control.
—Jacques Ledbetter, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Iranian media have emphasized that reopening the waterway to shipping does not mean Tehran is relinquishing its wartime claims over the strategic chokepoint.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 24 May 2026
Trump has said numerous times that any final resolution would have to involve Iran relinquishing its nuclear program, either by means of a diplomatic agreement or by force.
—Chris Boccia, ABC News, 13 May 2026
And at the counter, where chef and guest are separated by little more than a stretch of the hand, everything rests on precision, presence and the quiet thrill of relinquishing control to the chef’s capable hands.
—Rachel Ingram, Robb Report, 10 May 2026
The Monarchs went 8-1 in league play before relinquishing the district title.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026
That’s one reason that Iran specifically requested Vance as an interlocutor for negotiations, in which Tehran has so far obtained a cease-fire without relinquishing control of the Strait of Hormuz or giving up its nuclear program.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2026
While that new detail is likely to please debt holders, who had proposed that current shareholders inject 8 billion reais, the company rejected other changes sought by creditors, including relinquishing control of the board.
—Rachel Gamarski, Bloomberg, 26 Apr. 2026
Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 6 June 2026
Consumers are intrigued by convenience, but at the same time clearly uneasy about relinquishing control.
—Jacques Ledbetter, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Iranian media have emphasized that reopening the waterway to shipping does not mean Tehran is relinquishing its wartime claims over the strategic chokepoint.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 24 May 2026
Trump has said numerous times that any final resolution would have to involve Iran relinquishing its nuclear program, either by means of a diplomatic agreement or by force.
—Chris Boccia, ABC News, 13 May 2026
And at the counter, where chef and guest are separated by little more than a stretch of the hand, everything rests on precision, presence and the quiet thrill of relinquishing control to the chef’s capable hands.
—Rachel Ingram, Robb Report, 10 May 2026
The Monarchs went 8-1 in league play before relinquishing the district title.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026
That’s one reason that Iran specifically requested Vance as an interlocutor for negotiations, in which Tehran has so far obtained a cease-fire without relinquishing control of the Strait of Hormuz or giving up its nuclear program.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2026
While that new detail is likely to please debt holders, who had proposed that current shareholders inject 8 billion reais, the company rejected other changes sought by creditors, including relinquishing control of the board.
—Rachel Gamarski, Bloomberg, 26 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relinquishing
Verb
-
Negotiators were able to contact O'Brien via phone, eventually leading to his surrendering himself.—
Reg Chapman,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
-
The 49ers did it in March, surrendering a third-round draft pick to the Dallas Cowboys, who had a surplus of starting defensive tackles after last season’s trades for Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
Verb
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They’d be upset about Article One of the Constitution, the legislative branch abdicating its powers; that is, the people’s power to wage war and to levy tariffs.—
KEN BURNS,
Rolling Stone,
19 May 2026
-
Dinello was right, and The Late Show eventually became late night’s ratings leader—a throne that CBS is now voluntarily abdicating.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Still, Lamont resists rendering a verdict.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
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Then Google came and changed the rules, rendering older SEO tactics obsolete.—
Kurt Allen,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Rangers were seriously interested in resigning him.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
Kanin is resigning, effective June 11, and fiduciary Jodi Pais Montgomery will take over managing the trust.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Sparks end a three-game losing streak with an 89-72 win over expansion Portland, delivering their stingiest defensive performance of the season.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
While the circular economy is delivering real economic opportunity for millions of Americans, Jeffrey Zubricki, Etsy global head of advocacy and public policy, said too many microbusinesses face reporting requirements and cost structures that weren’t designed with them in mind.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Corbett, of Palatine, announced his independent candidacy days after renouncing the current state of the Republican Party and dropping his consulting business work with GOP contenders.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2026
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The program calls for the recognition of Israel and renouncing armed struggle, effectively sidelining Hamas and other factions.—
SAM METZ,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Even some on the council who sided with Lee have expressed wariness about ceding much of their own power to the mayor.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
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Carmine ultimately drops out of the race, ceding to Johnny Sac, but remains a key figure and even plays intermediary for New York and Jersey on multiple occasions.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relinquishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relinquishing. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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