Thesaurus

surrender

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of surrender

the usually forced yielding of one's person or possessions to the control of another

the police demanded the surrender of all hostages as a condition for allowing the hijackers safe passage out of the country

Synonyms of surrender

capitulating, capitulation, cession, handover, relinquishment, rendition, submission, submitting

Words Related to surrender

acceptance, acquiescence, concession

appeasement, conciliation, reconcilement, reconciliation

Near Antonyms of surrender

surrender

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of surrender

1 to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress

the toddler surrendered the doll to her mother after a brief struggle

the commander surrendered the garrison without having fired a single shot

Synonyms of surrender

cede, cough up, deliver, give up, hand over, lay down, relinquish, render, turn in, turn over, yield

Words Related to surrender

commit, consign, entrust (also intrust), transfer

forfeit, release, waive

abnegate, renounce, resign

abandon, desert, discard, forsake, part (with), shed

Near Antonyms of surrender

keep, retain, withhold

2 to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control)

the father refused to surrender to his son's constant begging for a BB gun

Synonyms of surrender

blink, bow, budge, capitulate, concede, give in, knuckle under, quit, relent, submit, succumb, yield

Words Related to surrender

Phrases Synonymous with surrender

say uncle, throw in the towel (also throw in the sponge)

Near Antonyms of surrender

contend, fight, hold off

battle, breast, combat, confront, counter, defy, face, meet, object, oppose, repel

thwart, withstand

Antonyms of surrender

3 to give up (as a position of authority) formally

the aging queen refused to surrender the throne to her increasingly impatient heir

Synonyms of surrender

abdicate, abnegate, cede, relinquish, renounce, resign, step aside (from), step down (from)

Words Related to surrender

abjure, demit, deny, disavow, disclaim, disown, waive

forsake, give up, hand over, yield

abandon, desert, quit, vacate

Near Antonyms of surrender

appropriate, arrogate, assume, claim, confiscate

seize, take over, usurp, wrest

defend, guard, protect, safeguard, secure

4 to give up and cease resistance (as to a liking, temptation, or habit)

determined to give up smoking, she so far has not surrendered to her incessant desire to have a cigarette

Synonyms of surrender

bow, cave (in), give in, submit, succumb, yield

Words Related to surrender

cater (to), gratify, indulge, wallow

acquiesce (to), concede (to)

buckle (under), knuckle under

Near Antonyms of surrender

battle, breast, combat, confront, counter, defy, face, fight, meet, object, oppose, repel

thwart, withstand

bridle, check, constrain, curb, inhibit, restrain, stifle

Antonyms of surrender

hold off, resist

5 to yield to the control or power of enemy forces

General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865, thus ending the Civil War

Synonyms of surrender

capitulate, fall, give up, knuckle under, submit, succumb

Words Related to surrender

bow, buckle, cave (in), collapse, give (in)

hand over, relinquish

concede, fail, fold

Near Antonyms of surrender

buck, defy, fight, oppose, repel, resist, withstand

beat, overcome, win

conquer, prevail, triumph

Antonyms of surrender

6 to give (oneself) over to something especially unrestrainedly

laid-off workers who surrender themselves to despair will almost certainly never regain their footing

Synonyms of surrender

abandon, deliver, give up, indulge, yield

Words Related to surrender

overdo, overindulge

bask, luxuriate, revel, roll, wallow

Near Antonyms of surrender

abstain (from), eschew, forbear, forgo (also forego), refrain (from)

check, inhibit, restrain

Antonyms of surrender

Synonym Discussion of surrender

relinquish, yield, resign, surrender, abandon, waive mean to give up completely. relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness.

- relinquished her crown

yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force.

- the troops yielded ground grudgingly

resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle.

- resigned her position

surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist.

- surrendered their claims

abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up.

- abandoned all hope

waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion.

- waived the right to a trial by jury

Learn More about surrender

See words that rhyme with surrender Dictionary: Definition of surrender Spanish Central: Translation of surrender Nglish: Translation of surrender for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of surrender for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up surrender? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

hiatus

a period when something is suspended