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

The Briton lost just one point over his next three service games and would not relinquish control of the tie-break after winning four of the first five points.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

Hedda, like Hamlet, doesn’t relinquish her mystery, which is why we keep returning to her tragedy.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

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

From MarketWatch • Feb. 16, 2026

But within four years Jefferson had compelled the Osage to relinquish their territory between the Arkansas River and the Missouri River.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

relinquish

Example Sentences

Related Words