Definitions

relinquish

[ri-ling-kwish] / rɪˈlɪŋ kwɪʃ /

VERB

give up, let go

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abandon abdicate cede drop out forgo hand over quit renounce surrender vacate waive withdraw yield

STRONG

abnegate cast desert discard ditch drop dump forbear forsake forswear kick leave release repudiate resign sacrifice shed

WEAK

back down cast off cut loose drop like hot potato kiss good-bye lay aside opt out quit cold turkey retire from stand down swear off take the oath take the pledge

Antonyms

STRONGEST

allow assert claim continue defend fight hold keep remain retain stay win

STRONG

gather maintain revert take up

WEAK

take

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Apple’s Tim Cook will relinquish the CEO position, leaving behind an impressive legacy after growing the company to a $4 trillion market capitalization from under $350 billion 15 years ago.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026

He said he was actually complying with the act by refusing to relinquish presidential records.

From Salon • Apr. 17, 2026

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been invited by councillors to relinquish his inherited Freedom of the City of London.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Mussafer’s departure was a win for Lululemon founder Chip Wilson, who had called for him to relinquish his board seat.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Beowulf, badly bruised, refused to relinquish his hold.

From "Beowulf: A New Telling" by Robert Nye

Vocabulary lists containing relinquish

The Declaration of Independence

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The Giver

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Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 4

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