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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
Those who remained at the Bombers’ spring training complex — rented out by the Rays this regular season — were treated to a home run derby, as Tampa Bay starter Shane Baz surrendered back-to-back-to-back jacks to Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton in the first inning.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
Ethan Wolin
july 21, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2025
Video footage from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which helped organize the humanitarian mission, showed Arraf and others sitting on the deck with life jackets on with their arms raised in a surrender position as Israeli soldiers with helmets and rifles climbed on board to seize the boat.
—Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for surrender
Verb
The left-hander surrendered a home run to Eastlake High School and San Diego State alumnus Casey Schmitt in the fourth inning but otherwise spread out three more hits and a walk over six innings before Wandy Peralta, Yuki Matsui and David Morgan finished the game.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
Those who remained at the Bombers’ spring training complex — rented out by the Rays this regular season — were treated to a home run derby, as Tampa Bay starter Shane Baz surrendered back-to-back-to-back jacks to Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton in the first inning.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
The residents escaped unharmed. Deputies — including a K-9 unit and drone team — responded to the scene and attempted to negotiate a peaceful surrender, the Sheriff’s Office wrote in an earlier X post.
—Ethan Wolin
july 21, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2025
Video footage from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which helped organize the humanitarian mission, showed Arraf and others sitting on the deck with life jackets on with their arms raised in a surrender position as Israeli soldiers with helmets and rifles climbed on board to seize the boat.
—Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for surrender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surrender
Verb
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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
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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
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Notably, more people succumb to drowning each year than experience shark bites.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Aug. 2025
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If someone succumbs to the heat, promptly relocate them to a cool, shaded location.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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When Sasse abruptly resigned as president last July, citing his wife’s health issues, the majority of his cabinet staff – including Schwinn – were not reappointed, the Florida Independent Alligator reported.—
Vivian Jones,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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Facing impeachment and a federal investigation into bid-rigging involving gifts and favors from state contractors, Rowland resigned July 1, 2004 at nearly the midpoint of his third term.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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There were a ton of talented people, a ton of great action that was submitted.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Greene’s 2024 filing appears to have been submitted two days after the deadline to do so, with the filing dated Aug. 15 after Greene was previously given an extension until Aug. 13 to submit it.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The second means happiness as having what’s necessary, or perhaps indulging a bit.—
Sebastian Purcell
August 18,
Literary Hub,
18 Aug. 2025
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This once-in-a-lifetime trip will offer a truly specialized and authentic experience of the Adriatic Coast, alternately moving at breakneck speed via Starr Luxury’s vehicles and slowing down so folks can take time to relax, indulge, and soak in the experience.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
25 July 2025
Noun
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However, a pick for Chimaev to win via early submission is not out of line.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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Some 80 submissions responded to Sanfic Lab’s Open Call, making selection even more daunting.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The gauzy, dark concerts from (famously) Nirvana, Sinéad O’Connor, and Alicia Keys render the operatic intimate, and highlight good tunes in a way stadium polish just can’t.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
22 Aug. 2025
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Kobel said a nurse and doctor affiliated with MUSC Health University Medical Center quickly rendered aid, ensuring the best outcome.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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So the war is likely to go on until Ukraine agrees to concede territory in exchange for security guarantees.—
Andy Shaw,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
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They were unbeaten in 23 Championship games last season at Turf Moor, with only eight goals conceded.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surrender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surrender. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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