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

• relinquishment noun
• relinquisher 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

PDT on Tuesday either to sign the document or relinquish their credentials.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The lives of many Palestinians will improve once they relinquish their contempt for their Jewish neighbors.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It was the best record in MLB, and they would never relinquish their perch atop the standings.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Since October 2023, landlocked Ethiopia has been pushing for renewed access to the Red Sea, arguing that it had erred in relinquishing control of ports to Eritrea at the time of its independence.

Read more on BBC

In the settlement, agreed when he relinquished his claim, Mr Smith paid £25,000 towards the Ruskin Museum's costs.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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