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
Republicans relinquishing control of one or both chambers of Congress in 2026 will render the president a lame duck for the remainder of his second term, and Democrats have an early 4-point advantage on generic congressional ballot polling.
—
Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025
McMillon said that as AI continues to proliferate and impact the ways that people’s lives and daily activities work, Walmart needs to stay an active part of the transformation, even if that means relinquishing control of how that technology evolves.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 4 Nov. 2025
Yet, despite this military setback, the militia in Lebanon shows no intention of relinquishing its weapons.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
The United States Military Academy graduate won just months after the previous winner, Noelia Voigt, shocked the world by relinquishing her crown, a bombshell action that was also taken by her younger counterpart, Miss Teen USA 2023.
—Alma Cooper, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
In Madagascar, Rajoelina has shown no signs of relinquishing power following his removal.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Analysts warn the plan hinges on Hamas fully disarming and relinquishing power — conditions seen as unlikely.
—Cameron Schoppa, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
The risks associated with relinquishing control over my mobility also give me pause.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2025
Liberation lies in relinquishing projection, in surrendering the desire for children to mirror our priorities and accomplishments.
—Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025
McMillon said that as AI continues to proliferate and impact the ways that people’s lives and daily activities work, Walmart needs to stay an active part of the transformation, even if that means relinquishing control of how that technology evolves.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 4 Nov. 2025
Yet, despite this military setback, the militia in Lebanon shows no intention of relinquishing its weapons.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
The United States Military Academy graduate won just months after the previous winner, Noelia Voigt, shocked the world by relinquishing her crown, a bombshell action that was also taken by her younger counterpart, Miss Teen USA 2023.
—Alma Cooper, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
In Madagascar, Rajoelina has shown no signs of relinquishing power following his removal.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Analysts warn the plan hinges on Hamas fully disarming and relinquishing power — conditions seen as unlikely.
—Cameron Schoppa, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
The risks associated with relinquishing control over my mobility also give me pause.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2025
Liberation lies in relinquishing projection, in surrendering the desire for children to mirror our priorities and accomplishments.
—Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relinquishing
Verb
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Andrew might not move to Sandringham until after the Christmas holidays, another source said, because giving notice, surrendering the lease and orchestrating the move is expected to take some time.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
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But while station owners no doubt had some worries about surrendering audience to streaming, Goldman says DWTS’s gains are proof that the two ecosystems can complement each other.—
Josef Adalian,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And if that’s true, what would prohibit Congress from just abdicating all responsibility to regulate foreign commerce, for that matter, declare war, to the president.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Far from abdicating responsibility, these young adults were embracing it and moving, however slowly, into their future roles of caring for us.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Quietly, evil collapsed, while Maloyan’s virtue stood firm against brutal force, rendering that force powerless.—
Jenni Fink,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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Other federal programs like the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement are also in limbo, rendering food banks unable to order supplies from the federal government.—
Heather Bushman,
IndyStar,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That torpedoing of club finances, alongside Messi handing in a transfer request in August 2020, ended with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu resigning before he was pushed in October that year.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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Lystrup ended up resigning as GSFC director on July 22.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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His plays gleefully plumb the wickedest aspects of the human psyche, delivering tales of relentless conquest, Jewish perfidy, deals with the devil, and gay love.—
Isaac Butler,
The Atlantic,
3 Nov. 2025
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Messengers had to use side or back entrances when delivering contracts and blueprints and photobooks to banks, law firms, and fashion houses.—
Evan Friss,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The revelations about the emails led to both Andrew and Sarah renouncing their Duke and Duchess of York titles in the past two weeks.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
28 Oct. 2025
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Tallis continued to have a successful career after the Reformation, despite never renouncing his Catholic faith.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The confederacy of tribes was pressured into ceding lands to the state of New York, and further displaced by ensuing frontier settlement.—
Matthew Smith,
The Conversation,
20 Oct. 2025
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Now, Middleton has returned to public duties and ceding the spotlight is apparently been hard for Queen Camilla.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Relinquishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relinquishing. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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