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
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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
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
While the company is seen as relinquishing its multi-year lead on the technology, former Apple insiders said there's still hope.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026
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
While the company is seen as relinquishing its multi-year lead on the technology, former Apple insiders said there's still hope.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relinquishing
Verb
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After Saturday night’s 4-3 loss to the Phillies – a defeat that happened in large part because reliever Tanner Scott reverted to some old, bad habits in surrendering a 3-1 lead in the eighth – Yamamoto understood Sunday’s assignment.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
1 June 2026
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Your choice Remember, there’s a big difference between offering someone a small gift and surrendering to the other person’s demand.—
Attia Qureshi,
Time,
1 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
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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
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Antiques were restored and put in prominent places, rooms and suites were upgraded with new furnishings and fixtures, the beloved Café Romano got a facelift, and the energy infrastructure was upgraded, rendering the hotel more sustainable and making space for a new rooftop bar.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Robb Report,
4 June 2026
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The past few years have seen a shift toward drenching, or covering every wall—including, sometimes, the ceiling—in a material, whether that's paint, wood, or wallpaper, rendering the accent wall less popular.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Baik led Fairfax to a City Section Open Division title in 2019 before resigning shortly after.—
Tarek Fattal,
Daily News,
3 June 2026
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No one here is happy about it, but in resigning, Bill proved one thing.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Verb
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In doing so, the brand is hoping to carve out its own piece of the $100 billion-plus European cosmetics market by delivering products geared toward improving athletic performance as opposed to makeup and other beauty items.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
1 June 2026
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Gupta said the company’s next growth phase would focus on delivering transport alternatives to millions of riders across the continent.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 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
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But are Democrats in some ways ceding a moral high ground?—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
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Even after taking down Tennessee and winning the SEC, though, Auburn was left out of the BCS title game, ceding the floor to USC and Oklahoma.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relinquishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relinquishing. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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