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Showing results for relinquish. Search instead for relinqu.
Definitions

relinquish

[ri-ling-kwish] / rɪˈlɪŋ kwɪʃ /
VERB
give up, let go
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abandon abdicate cede drop out forgo hand over quit renounce surrender vacate waive withdraw yield
STRONG
abnegate cast desert discard ditch drop dump forbear forsake forswear kick leave release repudiate resign sacrifice shed
WEAK
back down cast off cut loose drop like hot potato kiss good-bye lay aside opt out quit cold turkey retire from stand down swear off take the oath take the pledge
Antonyms
STRONGEST
allow assert claim continue defend fight hold keep remain retain stay win
STRONG
gather maintain revert take up
WEAK
take

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In a post-coup period of emergency rule, Min Aung Hlaing served as both commander-in-chief of the armed forces and acting president, but to become permanent president he is constitutionally compelled to relinquish his military post.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

In September 2025, a High Court judge ordered Joell-Deshield to relinquish control of Pride in London property, including bank accounts, internal systems and equipment.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

I’m willing to negotiate a trade right now: Give us decent bedside charging, and I will gratefully relinquish every last hotel alarm clock on the planet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

At some point, you will have to relinquish the control you have over your children.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 16, 2026

But she was not about to relinquish the spot.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.