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relinquish

verb
re·​lin·​quish | \ ri-ˈliŋ-kwish How to pronounce relinquish (audio) , -ˈlin-\
relinquished; relinquishing; relinquishes

Definition of relinquish

transitive verb

1 : to withdraw or retreat from : leave behind
2 : give up relinquish a title
3a : to stop holding physically : release slowly relinquished his grip on the bar
b : to give over possession or control of : yield few leaders willingly relinquish power
Other Words from relinquish Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about relinquish

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Other Words from relinquish

relinquishment \ ri-​ˈliŋ-​kwish-​mənt How to pronounce relinquishment (audio) , -​ˈlin-​ \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for relinquish

relinquish, yield, resign, surrender, abandon, waive mean to give up completely. relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness. relinquished her crown yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force. the troops yielded ground grudgingly resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle. resigned her position surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist. surrendered their claims abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up. abandoned all hope waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion. waived the right to a trial by jury

Examples of relinquish in a Sentence

They had turned to an open adoption after pursuing infertility treatments for 18 years, and the birth mother had agreed to relinquish custody at the hospital. — Emily Nussbaum, Discover, January 2000 In April of that year Albert Slyusar, one of the legendary figures of the Afghanistan war, had relinquished command of 103 Guards Airborne Division. — Carey Schofield, The Russian Elite, 1993 The feedback seems to operate on the premise that people who relinquish the civilized art of maintaining creative cities are not to be entrusted with the risks of developing further. — Jane Jacobs, Cities and the Wealth of Nations, (1984) 1985 The Major no sooner heard the voice, than he relinquished Mr Dombey's arm, darted forward, took the hand of the lady in the chair and pressed it to his lips. — Charles Dickens, Dombey and Son, 1848 I will not relinquish my rights. She was forced to relinquish control of the project. The court ordered him to relinquish custody of his child.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The army, which long feared that Mr Bouteflika was trying to sideline it, has power again and does not wish to relinquish it. — The Economist, "The army and the people face off in Algeria," 29 Aug. 2019 Mothers around the globe have to relinquish their homes, their rights, their freedom and, in some cases, their bodies. — Christie Tate, Washington Post, "Mourning the last bag of breast milk, long after my kids outgrew breast-feeding," 16 Aug. 2019 Publishers would have to relinquish control over Waterstones’ inventory, but Mr. Daunt pointed out an upside. — David Segal, New York Times, "Can Britain’s Top Bookseller Save Barnes & Noble?," 8 Aug. 2019 Officer Timothy Allan Romberger, 40, an 11-year department veteran, will have to relinquish his firearms as a result of the conviction. — Pauline Repard, San Diego Union-Tribune, "SDPD officer pleads guilty in domestic violence case," 30 July 2019 Pinson did not have to relinquish any of his per diem. — Jake Fischer, SI.com, "Coach's Challenges Are Coming: Is the NBA Ready?," 10 July 2019 If someone comes in wanting to adopt the dog and can provide a good home, the shelter must relinquish him, Terry told the Sentinel. — Tiffini Theisen, orlandosentinel.com, "Florida man dog-sitting for deployed service member may have dumped mastiff off at shelter," 27 June 2019 The video game industry relinquished its hold over downtown Los Angeles on Friday as the E3 convention drew to a close. — Trilby Beresford, The Hollywood Reporter, "E3 2019: The Best of the Convention," 14 June 2019 The ticket was good for admission, but Richardson had to relinquish it. — Scott Craven, USA TODAY, "Happiness has no expiration: Woman uses 34-year-old free pass to get into Disneyland," 30 May 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'relinquish.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of relinquish

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for relinquish

Middle English relinquisshen, from Anglo-French relinquiss-, stem of relinquir, from Latin relinquere to leave behind, from re- + linquere to leave — more at loan

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More Definitions for relinquish

relinquish

verb
How to pronounce relinquish (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of relinquish

formal : to give up (something) : to give (something, such as power, control, or possession) to another person or group

See the full definition for relinquish in the English Language Learners Dictionary

relinquish

verb
re·​lin·​quish | \ ri-ˈliŋ-kwish How to pronounce relinquish (audio) \
relinquished; relinquishing

Kids Definition of relinquish

: to let go of : give up “She's not the type to relinquish her new powers.”— Avi, Crispin

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More from Merriam-Webster on relinquish

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for relinquish

Spanish Central: Translation of relinquish

Nglish: Translation of relinquish for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of relinquish for Arabic Speakers

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