Synonyms of relinquishing

relinquishing

verb

present participle of relinquish

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

• surrendering
• rendering
• delivering
• ceding
• transferring
• yielding
• abandoning
• resigning
• turning in
• committing
• entrusting
• giving up
• turning over
• laying down
• releasing
• forfeiting
• waiving
• handing over
• discarding
• renouncing
• coughing up
• consigning
• deserting
• shedding
• forsaking
• abnegating
• parting (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• keeping
• retaining
• withholding

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

• abdicating
• resigning
• renouncing
• ceding
• surrendering
• denying
• vacating
• abnegating
• waiving
• abandoning
• stepping down (from)
• disowning
• disclaiming
• disavowing
• forsaking
• abjuring
• stepping aside (from)
• yielding
• demitting
• deserting
• giving up
• handing over
• quitting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• claiming
• assuming
• appropriating
• seizing
• protecting
• confiscating
• securing
• arrogating
• defending
• usurping
• taking over
• safeguarding
• guarding
• wresting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of relinquishing

But the pro-Israel lobby is not relinquishing its political power, evidenced by its move to give more than $9 million to support Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate race. — Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026

With all the characters in the show, there’s an exploration of losing control, taking control and relinquishing control, and Chris experiences all of those. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026

One panel was falling, then smashing on the path, lead relinquishing its long grip on the glass. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026

Venus Venus will soon be relinquishing its dominance of the early evening sky. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026

But that would have meant Parton relinquishing half the publishing rights and therefore half the royalties. — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

America is the ultimate answer to the pogrom, and to the emancipation Europe offered on the condition of relinquishing Jewish ethnic and cultural distinctiveness. — Rory Lancman, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026

For Harrison, the collaboration also meant relinquishing some control. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 22 July 2026

Clearly, the Flyers are comfortable with relinquishing first-round picks in their next four drafts as there is more value in having a true 1C in Carlsson. — Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 8 July 2026