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 Several clubs are frustrated at the way the City case has been managed and have privately expressed the belief that the league’s chief may have to resign if City are not found guilty. Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025 On the same day that Trump was appointed chair of the Kennedy Center, several people resigned from their positions at the nonprofit. Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025 Taylor Kapusta resigned from her post as warden of the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center in Nashville, effective Aug. 4. Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 7 Aug. 2025 In March, the princes and fellow trustees resigned amid growing tensions with Chandauka. Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for resign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resign
Verb
  • So far, however, Trump’s allies in Congress have almost wholly abdicated this role, and although lower courts have issued injunctions against some of the administration’s actions and policies, the Supreme Court has repeatedly found ways to expand executive power.
    MICHAEL JOHNSTON, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2025
  • However, don’t bypass all the details and abdicate your leadership. 4.
    Anne Sugar, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Jones is not relinquishing his strong negotiating position Jones and Parsons would meet in March to discuss the linebacker’s role on the team going forward.
    Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2025
  • While a strong federal government may be central to the Democratic Party's identity, maintaining that objective likely requires relinquishing control from the capital and encouraging state politicos to explore new ways to achieve success.
    Alex J. Rouhandeh, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Boulos, a lawful permanent resident who was born in New York but renounced his U.S. citizenship several years ago, was arrested on July 17 in Palm Beach County on an immigration violation charge and is being held at the Krome detention center.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 31 July 2025
  • China has for decades claimed sovereignty over Taiwan and has never renounced the possible use of force to annex the self-governing island and unify it with the Chinese mainland.
    Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 26 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Resign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resign. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.

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