1
as in to surrender
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress
the boy reluctantly relinquished the illegal fireworks to the police officer
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to abdicate
to give up (as a position of authority) formally
the retiring CEO relinquished his position to the company's vice president with very mixed feelings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of relinquish
Jakrajutatip also relinquished her roles at the Miss Universe Organization.
—
Theresa Braine, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
The Giants would’ve solidified the pick with a loss, but Jaxson Dart and the Giants’ offense blew out Geno Smith and the Raiders to relinquish the pick, which now belongs in Sin City.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Dec. 2025
If the royal family represents symbolic capital, fashion operates on cultural capital, and Meghan’s motive since relinquishing her HRH title has been converting the one into the other.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2025
Lawyer Fleming said hundreds of people have made that choice, relinquishing rights to a legal hearing.
—Whitney Wild, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relinquish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relinquish
Verb
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Leaning on do-everything running back Bijan Robinson would make a lot of sense, except the Colts hold teams to just 87 rushing yards per game (fourth fewest) and have surrendered only six rushing touchdowns in nine games.—
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Economic strain is one of the leading reasons animals are surrendered to shelters, spokesperson Kirsten Peek said.—
Verb
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The United States, in other words, is not just abdicating its role in the current international system.—
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The family's fate changed when King Edward VIII abdicated in 1936 and his younger brother acceded to the throne, putting the firstborn Princess Elizabeth on the path to reign one day.—
Verb
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This transformation renders the target — the frozen limit — a finite object that a finite computer can handle.—
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Its three glittering diamonds had a powerful effect on Sophie Rhys-Jones—rendering her speechless.—
Verb
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Days later, another member of the finance team, Carrie Truver, resigned.—
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Meanwhile, county leaders, including Executive Bob Cassilly, are calling for the superintendent to resign or be terminated.—
Verb
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Another Republican, Sen John Cornyn of Texas, had to fly back from Texas to deliver the crucial 60th vote.—
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While Kyle Shanahan’s team continues to battle the injury bug, the coach and his staff keep finding ways to win games as backups have assumed vital roles and have delivered.—
Verb
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Margaret’s father succeeded him as King George VI, and her mother Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, never forgave the duke for renouncing his duty to his country.—
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Ukraine withdrawing from all of the Donbas, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, and Kyiv officially renouncing its aim to join NATO.—
Verb
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Europe has already ceded plenty of ground to keep the US on-side.—
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Failing to even make the playoffs, the Chiefs ceded the favorite spot to the Philadelphia Eagles after Week 11.—
Cite this Entry
“Relinquish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relinquish. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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