1
as in relinquished
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress
she reluctantly ceded her position as leader
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in transferred
to give over the legal possession or ownership of
Spain ceded Puerto Rico to the United States as part of the settlement of the Spanish-American War
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3
as in abdicated
to give up (as a position of authority) formally
the President officially cedes his position on the January 20th immediately following the presidential election
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Recent Examples of ceded
Of course, the Colts’ true on-field revitalization wouldn’t begin until the following decade, after Jim Irsay ceded the GM title and the franchise in 1998 drafted a promising young quarterback named Peyton Manning.
—
Justin Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
By a Congress and Supreme Court that so far have ceded power to the executive branch.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
But over time and through crises such as the Great Depression and Great Recession, the Fed was gradually ceded more oversight over the nation’s banks.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
In splurging on Harbaugh, Dean and John Spanos surely also ceded him more power.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Wintour has tapped protege and Vogue digital editor Chloe Malle as head of editorial content for the American edition of Vogue, taking the reins from Wintour, who ceded her role leading the publication in June.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Just days after announcing her engagement to Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift ceded some of the spotlight to a fellow NFL WAG celebrating a milestone birthday.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025
In the past, union members gladly ceded authority to the union because benefits ensued — more generous pensions, improved working conditions and the like.
—Jill Ebstein, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
In the view of this faction, Ukraine has ceded too much control over its internal affairs to Europe and the United States.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2025
Justin Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
By a Congress and Supreme Court that so far have ceded power to the executive branch.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
But over time and through crises such as the Great Depression and Great Recession, the Fed was gradually ceded more oversight over the nation’s banks.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
In splurging on Harbaugh, Dean and John Spanos surely also ceded him more power.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Wintour has tapped protege and Vogue digital editor Chloe Malle as head of editorial content for the American edition of Vogue, taking the reins from Wintour, who ceded her role leading the publication in June.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Just days after announcing her engagement to Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift ceded some of the spotlight to a fellow NFL WAG celebrating a milestone birthday.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025
In the past, union members gladly ceded authority to the union because benefits ensued — more generous pensions, improved working conditions and the like.
—Jill Ebstein, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
In the view of this faction, Ukraine has ceded too much control over its internal affairs to Europe and the United States.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ceded
Verb
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In May 2025, Kraft Heinz announced a strategic review aimed at unlocking shareholder value, and Berkshire Hathaway relinquished its board seats, signaling potential structural changes.—
Joe Cornell,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Shortly after Rose took the helm at the pageant, both Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava relinquished their titles.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After launch, the team transferred control of the Switchblade from a user in the MQ-9A’s ground control station to a user on the ground nearer the operational area.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
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Enter Ned Sampson, an ebullient, well-meaning, and overly earnest Softees salesman extraordinaire who’s transferred from Chicago to Toledo to run TTT.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The federal government has functionally abdicated its role in keeping Americans safe from dangerous illness.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
5 Sep. 2025
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Why had Congress abdicated its power to set tariffs?—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Patriots had the Dolphins stalled before Austin surrendered a 47-yard reception to wide receiver Tyreek Hill.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Rodgriguez surrendered and officers found an unloaded handgun on top of a baby inside the carriage, police said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After an initial jam session to determine musical abilities and interests, participants are paired up and assigned to a counselor who manages their activities for the week.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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The Guard may have worn out its welcome, but soldiers were still assigned to the region.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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A student-teacher at Lakevue Elementary School in the Vallivue School District resigned from their placement after making inflammatory comments regarding Kirk’s death.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
13 Sep. 2025
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Just last week, his deputy Angela Rayner resigned after failing to pay enough tax on the purchase of a second home.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Faring even worse is Clara, thinly rendered as an ungrateful child and an obstacle for her mother.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
13 Sep. 2025
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When workers are used as invisible inputs in opaque AI systems that determine hiring, promotions and surveillance protocols, their autonomy can be eroded—and traditional labor rights rendered toothless.—
James Felton Keith,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After Matsura’s death, a substantial collection of his photographs, bequeathed to his friend Judge William Compton Brown, was donated as part of Brown’s estate to the Washington State University archives.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
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The Kenwood painting was part of the Iveagh collection bequeathed by Lord Iveagh in 1927.—
Gareth Harris,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ceded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ceded. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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