resign

verb

ri-ˈzīn How to pronounce resign (audio)
Definition of resignnext
as in to abdicate
to give up (as a position of authority) formally following the election, the incumbent cabinet members resigned their positions so the president could feel free to pick a new administration

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word resign different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of resign are abandon, relinquish, surrender, waive, and yield. While all these words mean "to give up completely," resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle.

resigned her position

When would abandon be a good substitute for resign?

Although the words abandon and resign have much in common, abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up.

abandoned all hope

When is relinquish a more appropriate choice than resign?

The synonyms relinquish and resign are sometimes interchangeable, but relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness.

relinquished her crown

When is it sensible to use surrender instead of resign?

The words surrender and resign can be used in similar contexts, but surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist.

surrendered their claims

Where would waive be a reasonable alternative to resign?

The meanings of waive and resign largely overlap; however, waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion.

waived the right to a trial by jury

When can yield be used instead of resign?

The words yield and resign are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force.

the troops yielded ground grudgingly

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of resign British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a leadership crisis over the Mandelson appointment, and on Sunday, his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, resigned over having advised Starmer to appoint Mandelson. —Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026 Almost a year ago, CEO Rodney McMullen resigned abruptly because of an undisclosed ethics violation related to his personal conduct. —Phil Wahba, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026 Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party and stepped down from the House of Lords last week. —Callum Sutherland, Time, 9 Feb. 2026 Omar, a Democrat, was calling for the abolishment of ICE and for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign when a man sitting in the front row rushed up to her and sprayed her with a substance while yelling at her. —Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resign
  1. abdicate
  2. relinquish
  3. renounce
Verb
  • Healey has clearly decided to abdicate her responsibility to protect taxpayer money.
    — Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
  • One such royal family member was Grand Duke Emeritus Henri of Luxembourg, who abdicated in favor of his son last October.
    — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of abdicate
Verb
  • The manager of Kennesaw’s controversial Civil War shop has agreed to relinquish the downtown store and several other properties that were subject to a lengthy fight over the late owner’s estate.
    — Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Angell relinquished not only his role as chair, but as a board member entirely.
    — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2026
Definition of relinquish
Verb
  • Born rich, yet sought a life of poverty Born into a merchant family in the Umbrian town of Assisi, in present-day Italy, around 1181, Francis famously renounced his family’s wealth.
    — Vanessa Corcoran, The Conversation, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Through the request, Franyelis renounced her claim to seek asylum in the United States and asked Reingold to let her self-deport.
    — Maeva Bambuck, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Definition of renounce

Phrases Containing resign

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residuum
resign
resignation
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Cite this Entry

“Resign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resign. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on resign

Nglish: Translation of resign for Spanish Speakers

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