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
The question is: Will your organization have the courage to relinquish outdated control mechanisms and embrace fluidity as its greatest strength?
—
Izabela Lundberg, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
But any pipe dream of the Titans ever relinquishing the Oilers intellectual property and history to the Texans would likely elicit an expletive if expressed inside the Titans’ facility.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Blitzer is nearing a deal to relinquish control to the Miller family, the former owners of the NBA’s Utah Jazz, said the people, who were granted anonymity because the details are private.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Against Louisville, Van Lith’s former team, TCU again started slow but used a 27-9 run to take a 20-point lead into the half and never relinquished the leader for the remainder of the game.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relinquish
Izabela Lundberg, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
But any pipe dream of the Titans ever relinquishing the Oilers intellectual property and history to the Texans would likely elicit an expletive if expressed inside the Titans’ facility.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Blitzer is nearing a deal to relinquish control to the Miller family, the former owners of the NBA’s Utah Jazz, said the people, who were granted anonymity because the details are private.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Against Louisville, Van Lith’s former team, TCU again started slow but used a 27-9 run to take a 20-point lead into the half and never relinquished the leader for the remainder of the game.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relinquish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relinquish
Verb
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She was shot once in the shoulder, and after briefly going back into her home, ultimately surrendered and was transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
13 Apr. 2025
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Instead, the Brewers allowed 36 runs, surrendering 15 home runs, as the Yanks swept the three games.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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However, Congress has abdicated much of this responsibility over time, either through legislation or neglect; both parties and all branches are guilty.—
Andrew Tisch,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Rarely have politicians who call themselves leaders abdicated their responsibility more profoundly.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Today, digital cameras have rendered round-the-clock observations of the night sky both practical and affordable.—
Patrick M. Shober,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
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The Alliance would seek to deter and defeat offensive space capabilities, condemn any attempts to render space unusable in international fora, and impose tangible violations that include sanctions—from export controls on the low end to military action on the high end.—
Andrew Hanna,
Time,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The acting commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is resigning over a new federal agreement that allows immigration enforcement access to taxpayer data, according to two people familiar with the decision who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
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Acting Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commissioner Melanie Krause is resigning after a deal was made to share immigrants’ tax data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).—
Lauren Irwin,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Alongside industry leaders like Chris O’Hara of Stunts Unlimited, Leitch delivered several presentations to the Academy, ultimately leading to the Board of Governors’ vote of approval earlier this week.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
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The vote over on Orange clearly was coming down to either Sai or Mailman Mitch — a man who may or may not have once helped prove the existence of Santa Claus after delivering bundles upon bundles of letters to Kris Kringle at the New York City courthouse.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Some of these firms have responded by agreeing to renounce diversity outreach efforts and commit tens of millions of dollars in pro bono work to defend Trump's priorities in future litigation.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PC Magazine,
10 Apr. 2025
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The Russian president has also demanded that Ukraine renounce joining NATO military alliance, sharply cut its army, and protect Russian language and culture to keep the country in Moscow’s orbit.—
TIME,
TIME,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Lindelof and Ugarte both looked uncomfortable against this, either resorting to aimless long balls or ceding possession in dangerous areas.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
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What if this character’s eventual fate is not to hold on to her power, but to cede it to another?—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
12 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Relinquish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relinquish. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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