Thesaurus

surrender

Q: How is the word 'surrender' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of surrender are abandon , relinquish , resign , waive , and yield . While all these words mean "to give up completely," surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist. // surrendered their claims

Q: In what contexts can 'abandon' take the place of 'surrender'?

While the synonyms abandon and surrender are close in meaning, abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up. // abandoned all hope

Q: When might 'relinquish' be a better fit than 'surrender'?

The synonyms relinquish and surrender are sometimes interchangeable, but relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness. // relinquished her crown

Q: When would 'resign' be a good substitute for 'surrender'?

The words resign and surrender are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle. // resigned her position

Q: When can 'waive' be used instead of 'surrender'?

The meanings of waive and surrender largely overlap; however, waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion. // waived the right to a trial by jury

Q: When is it sensible to use 'yield' instead of 'surrender'?

In some situations, the words yield and surrender are roughly equivalent. However, yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force. // the troops yielded ground grudgingly

verb

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Synonyms & Antonyms of surrender

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 for surrender

Words Related to surrender

Near Antonyms for surrender

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 for surrender

Words Related to surrender

acquiesce

defer

Phrases Synonymous with surrender

Near Antonyms for surrender

Antonyms for surrender

resist

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

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

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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 for surrender

Words Related to surrender

give over (to)

Near Antonyms for surrender

reject

Antonyms for surrender

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 for surrender

Words Related to surrender

lose

Near Antonyms for surrender

Antonyms for surrender

endure,
stand

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 for surrender

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Antonyms for surrender

deny

surrender

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms of surrender (Entry 2 of 2)

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 for surrender

Words Related to surrender

compromise

capture,
fall

Near Antonyms for surrender

resistance

Frequently Asked Questions About surrender

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

Some common synonyms of surrender are abandon, relinquish, resign, waive, and yield. While all these words mean "to give up completely," surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist.

surrendered their claims

In what contexts can abandon take the place of surrender?

While the synonyms abandon and surrender are close in meaning, abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up.

abandoned all hope

When might relinquish be a better fit than surrender?

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

relinquished her crown

When would resign be a good substitute for surrender?

The words resign and surrender are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle.

resigned her position

When can waive be used instead of surrender?

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

waived the right to a trial by jury

When is it sensible to use yield instead of surrender?

In some situations, the words yield and surrender are roughly equivalent. However, yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force.

the troops yielded ground grudgingly