relinquish

[ri-ling-kwish]

verb (used with object)

1. to renounce or surrender (a possession, right, etc.).

   to relinquish the throne.

2. to give up; put aside or desist from.

   to relinquish a plan.

   Synonyms: resign, desert, forswear, quit, leave, abdicate, forego, waive, cede, yield

3. to let go; release.

   to relinquish one's hold.

relinquish

/ rɪˈlɪŋkwɪʃ /

verb

1. to give up (a task, struggle, etc); abandon

2. to surrender or renounce (a claim, right, etc)

3. to release; let go

Other Word Forms

• relinquisher noun
• relinquishment noun
• nonrelinquishment noun
• unrelinquished adjective
• unrelinquishing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of relinquish¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English relinquissen, relinquisshen, from Middle French relinquiss-, long stem of relinquir ≪ Latin relinquere “to leave behind,” equivalent to re- re- + linquere “to leave” (akin to lend )

Word History and Origins

Origin of relinquish¹

C15: from French relinquir , from Latin relinquere to leave behind, from _re- + linquere to leave

Synonym Study

See abandon.

Example Sentences

That early salvo -- the first time in World Series history a team has hit back-to-back lead off home runs -- handed the Blue Jays a lead they would never relinquish.

Read more on Barron's

They not only lost the 18-inning classic, relinquishing control of the series when Freddie Freeman ended the game just shy of midnight with his second World Series walk-off home run in as many years.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Andrew relinquished his titles earlier this month amid renewed scrutiny of his links with Epstein following the posthumous publication of Virginia Giuffre's memoir.

Read more on BBC

There has been increased focus on Prince Andrew - who had already stepped back as a working royal - after he relinquished his titles following growing pressure over his links with Epstein.

Read more on BBC

State Department assessments concluded that Putin would ultimately be unwilling to relinquish maximalist demands—a conclusion that outside analysts have also made in recent months.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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