1
as in to relinquish
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
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2
as in to succumb
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
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3
as in to resign
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
as in to submit
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
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5
as in to capitulate
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
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6
as in to indulge
to give (oneself) over to something especially unrestrainedly
laid-off workers who surrender themselves to despair will almost certainly never regain their footing
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as in submission
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of surrender
Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2025
After five rounds of indirect negotiations, the White House had demanded strict limits on Iran’s nuclear program that, to Iranian officials, did in fact amount to surrender.
—Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 23 June 2025
Arkansas Online, 20 June 2025
Corporate clients and legal talent are deserting law firms that surrendered to Trump because the surrenders have brought into question the integrity of these firm’s managing partners.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for surrender
Verb
In 30 pitches, Perkins surrendered just one baserunner and struck out two while sporting a 98-mph fastball, dangerous cutter and sweeper.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2025
After five rounds of indirect negotiations, the White House had demanded strict limits on Iran’s nuclear program that, to Iranian officials, did in fact amount to surrender.
—Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 23 June 2025
Noun
Europe's push for diplomacy is in sharp contrast to messages from Washington, with U.S. President Donald Trump openly weighing bombing Iran and calling for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian leadership.
—Arkansas Online, 20 June 2025
Corporate clients and legal talent are deserting law firms that surrendered to Trump because the surrenders have brought into question the integrity of these firm’s managing partners.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for surrender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surrender
Verb
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While Israel wants to eradicate Hamas following the Oct. 7 attacks, the group has shown little willingness to relinquish its political and military power in Gaza.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
5 July 2025
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The judge in Jackson's case has ordered Burgin to relinquish any firearms in his possession, including firearm parts and ammunition, within 24 hours of receiving the restraining order.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Most of the resulting plants succumbed to rust; the few that made it were crossed with one another to produce the next generation.—
Elizabeth Kolbert,
New Yorker,
23 June 2025
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Don’t succumb to the urge to overfertilize, which leads to other problems. 4.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 June 2025
Verb
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Eric Garrett, who oversaw Ross’ department as CHA’s chief operating officer, resigned Jan. 3 and received around $87,200 per his separation agreement and Tribune calculations.—
Lizzie Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2025
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Editor David Shipley and others resigned, and another wave of subscription cancellations followed.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Verb
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But there’s another reason for it: the handwritten paragraph also begins a paper trail, attesting to voice and style, that a teaching assistant can consult if a suspicious paper is submitted.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
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Or a therapist who submits weekly reports for a patient, only to later discover that the patient had been in custody for months.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Baker, 37, indulged them, starting out of her Fairfax, Calif., living room a finance club that eventually became her present-day financial education startup, Dow Janes — which boasts an Instagram following of nearly half a million.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
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But unfortunately, indulging too much in fried foods will trigger your cortisol.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
25 June 2025
Noun
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Poirier failed to unify the title, losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov by submission at UFC 242 in September 2019.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
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The submission form and instructions are below the quiz.—
Holly J. Morris,
NPR,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Agriculture technology with 3d rendering robot assistant in indoor farm or glasshouse.—
Gabriel Snyder,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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Last season also offered up so many reminders that the Mets are liable to render all this hand-wringing and historical perspective moot by late October or early November.—
Jerry Beach,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
Verb
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In their five World Cup matches, the Netherlands conceded only two goals with Spitse on the pitch.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
5 July 2025
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To get to a supermajority on partial overrides, the four members conceded on some of Gloria’s vetoes, such as elimination of $250,000 for a homeless outreach team.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surrender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surrender. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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