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

But, as part of the settlement, Prudence, Elisabeth and James agreed to relinquish their shares in the family trust and give up any roles going forward.

From Los Angeles Times

That put him behind Piastri, but the team ordered the championship leader to relinquish the position, arguing that it was "a bit like Hungary last year".

From BBC

For example, he was a key member of the European Club Association, though he has now relinquished his position with the organisation.

From BBC

But he went on to stress that Russia would not relinquish the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine his troops have seized.

From BBC

Chansiri parted with a decade ago would now be worth about £52m, still only around half of what he seems to be demanding to relinquish control now.

From BBC

Related Words

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