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

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

Some Senegal players have suggested they will not relinquish their winners' medals.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

But the key element that alarmed and upset some rival studio executives was the stipulation that the studio would relinquish ownership of “Sinners” to Coogler after 25 years.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

She was not willing to give up her belief in an afterlife; to do so would relinquish hope that she would see her sister Fanny again.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman

Vocabulary lists containing relinquish

The Declaration of Independence

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The Giver

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Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 4

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