Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for relinquish. Search instead for relinqu.
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.

I’m willing to negotiate a trade right now: Give us decent bedside charging, and I will gratefully relinquish every last hotel alarm clock on the planet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Some Senegal players have suggested they will not relinquish their winners' medals.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

Skiers have to re-don their skis at the top for one final climb, and Fatton was much slicker than Harrop, racing away to a lead she never looked likely to relinquish.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

At some point, you will have to relinquish the control you have over your children.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 16, 2026

But if I wanted a future with my family—with Liam—then I had to relinquish my control.

From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.