resign

as in to abdicate
to give up (as a position of authority) formally following the election, the incumbent cabinet members resigned their positions so the president could feel free to pick a new administration

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word resign different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of resign are abandon, relinquish, surrender, waive, and yield. While all these words mean "to give up completely," resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle.

resigned her position

When would abandon be a good substitute for resign?

Although the words abandon and resign have much in common, abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up.

abandoned all hope

When is relinquish a more appropriate choice than resign?

The synonyms relinquish and resign are sometimes interchangeable, but relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness.

relinquished her crown

When is it sensible to use surrender instead of resign?

The words surrender and resign can be used in similar contexts, but surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist.

surrendered their claims

Where would waive be a reasonable alternative to resign?

The meanings of waive and resign largely overlap; however, waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion.

waived the right to a trial by jury

When can yield be used instead of resign?

The words yield and resign are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force.

the troops yielded ground grudgingly

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of resign The president of the University of Virginia resigned amid political pressure linked to federal probes. Leadership Brainery, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Nepal’s prime minister resigned Tuesday after protesters set fire to homes of the country’s top political leaders during violent demonstrations against a ban on social media platforms and government corruption. Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025 Monarez will be joined by Deb Houry, former chief medical officer and deputy director for program and science at CDC, who was one of four top CDC officials who resigned in protest after Monarez was ousted. Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025 Dell Technologies — Shares eased about 1% after Dell Technologies said its Chief Financial Officer Yvonne McGill will resign, effective Tuesday. Sarah Min, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for resign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resign
Verb
  • The federal government has functionally abdicated its role in keeping Americans safe from dangerous illness.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
  • This isn't about abdicating responsibility.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Keeping the agreement with Norris in mind, McLaren intervened in the situation by asking Piastri to relinquish second place to Norris.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • In May 2025, Kraft Heinz announced a strategic review aimed at unlocking shareholder value, and Berkshire Hathaway relinquished its board seats, signaling potential structural changes.
    Joe Cornell, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Advertisement Lee also renounced any concept of gender roles, longing for full social equality regardless of gender or race.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
  • On another, the Internal Revenue Code stands ready with its expatriation tax regime—potentially ensnaring not only those who voluntarily renounce their citizenship but also those whose citizenship is stripped away.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Resign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resign. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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