1
as in surrendering
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 abdicating
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 relinquishing
The United States has offered Iran a 15-point proposal for a ceasefire that includes it relinquishing control of the strait, but at the same time has ordered thousands more troops to the region — possibly in preparation for a military attempt to wrest the waterway from Iran.
—
David Rising, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
With concerns growing about a global energy crisis, an Iranian official said Tehran had no intention of relinquishing its tight grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil.
—Arkansas Online, 18 Mar. 2026
An Iranian official defiantly said Tehran had no intention of relinquishing its tight grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil.
—Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
Arizona gave the Knights little reason for hope, racing out to a 27-point lead in the first half and never relinquishing the lead.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Researchers warned about relinquishing autonomy without interpretability.
—Victoria Bousis, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
Their dreadful February reeks of a team that grew desperate to reap the benefits of a dying method, at least somewhat relinquishing its old, stubborn ways.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Payton relinquishing the duties deserves praise.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Feb. 2026
Riley was the head coach and team president for the Heat’s first NBA championship in 2006 before relinquishing those duties to Erik Spoelstra in 2008.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
David Rising, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
With concerns growing about a global energy crisis, an Iranian official said Tehran had no intention of relinquishing its tight grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil.
—Arkansas Online, 18 Mar. 2026
An Iranian official defiantly said Tehran had no intention of relinquishing its tight grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil.
—Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
Arizona gave the Knights little reason for hope, racing out to a 27-point lead in the first half and never relinquishing the lead.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Researchers warned about relinquishing autonomy without interpretability.
—Victoria Bousis, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
Their dreadful February reeks of a team that grew desperate to reap the benefits of a dying method, at least somewhat relinquishing its old, stubborn ways.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Payton relinquishing the duties deserves praise.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Feb. 2026
Riley was the head coach and team president for the Heat’s first NBA championship in 2006 before relinquishing those duties to Erik Spoelstra in 2008.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relinquishing
Verb
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Tyler Unter threw five scoreless innings before surrendering a pair of runs in the sixth for Santa Margarita.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
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Murakami’s two walks came against Jacob Misiorowski, who struck out 11 while surrendering one run — a leadoff home run by Chase Meidroth — on two hits in five innings.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In its most hostile version, the same qualities are recast as evidence of his succumbing to spectacle and abdicating basic architectural responsibility.—
Julian Rose,
Artforum,
26 Mar. 2026
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Democratic leaders have accused Congress of abdicating its constitutional role, and some members plan to boycott the address or attend in silent protest.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Carlton Fisk didn’t retire with the Red Sox, who infamously quote-unquote accidentally mailed his contract a day late, rendering him a free agent.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
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Officers immediately began rendering aid until the man was taken to a hospital.—
Bryant Reed,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Roy was in his second job running a team in the league, following a three-year tenure with the Avalanche from 2013-16 that included winning the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year and abruptly resigning in the middle of the summer.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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What the city got from some within the police department was more than 80 pages of complaints, criticisms and concerns about then-police chief Mikael Dahlstrom, allegations that led to him resigning in November after the city decided not to carry out a formal investigation.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the meantime, Jones is delivering food to officers who need it and trying to get employees who quit to return, despite the political showdowns that have led to government shutdowns.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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The sci-fi pic, starring Ryan Gosling as a school teacher who wakes aboard a spacecraft with amnesia, has been a winner for Amazon MGM Studios, delivering some of the best numbers for a non-franchise movie in some time.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Returning to the guitars that characterized the band’s earliest work without renouncing their latter-day synths, MacFarlane gives Graham’s ruminations an urgent tenderness.—
Stephen Thomas Erlewine,
Pitchfork,
31 Mar. 2026
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The association filed several lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the fee, including one that remains pending that argues there should be no cost for renouncing one’s citizenship.—
Matthew Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But others can ask to maintain more creative control if interested, rather than the traditional practice of ceding it to the industry.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
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Boulee gave the two parties a deadline to agree on a mediator and come to the table, but with the deadline approaching, officials say neither side was ceding any ground.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relinquishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relinquishing. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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