relinquish

[ ri-ling-kwish ]

/ rɪˈlɪŋ kwɪʃ /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: relinquish / relinquished / relinquishes on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to renounce or surrender (a possession, right, etc.): to relinquish the throne.

to give up; put aside or desist from: to relinquish a plan.

to let go; release: to relinquish one's hold.

OTHER WORDS FOR relinquish

2 yield, cede, waive, forego, abdicate, leave, quit, forswear, desert, resign.

See synonyms for relinquish on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of relinquish

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)

synonym study for relinquish

2. See abandon¹.

OTHER WORDS FROM relinquish

re·lin·quish·er, nounre·lin·quish·ment, nounnon·re·lin·quish·ment, nounun·re·lin·quished, adjective

un·re·lin·quish·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use relinquish in a sentence

However, many of us may not wish to relinquish the idea of being free agents.
How Much Do Our Genes Restrict Free Will?|Hannah Critchlow|November 29, 2020|Singularity Hub
Leaving Silicon Valley for Los Angeles or San Diego means relinquishing 8% of their annual pay, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing internal policies.
Flee the city, keep your salary? Not so fast say more employers|Lee Clifford|November 22, 2020|Fortune
You chose first and never relinquished control, working your way horizontally across the board by first selecting all six $200 clues, then all six $400 clues, and so on, until you finally selected all the $1,000 clues.
Can You Pass The Cranberry Sauce?|Zach Wissner-Gross|November 20, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
You choose first and never relinquish control, working your way horizontally across the board by first selecting all six $200 clues, then all six $400 clues, and so on, until you finally select all the $1,000 clues.
Can You Snatch Defeat From The Jaws Of Victory?|Zach Wissner-Gross|November 13, 2020|FiveThirtyEight

Opponents of the amendment said Democrats were suckers to relinquish that power after Republicans nationwide have out-gerrymandered Democrats for years.
Election 2020: Winners and losers from Virginia, Maryland and D.C.|Robert McCartney|November 6, 2020|Washington Post
Yanukovych bade them farewell and relinquished his right to state guards.
Where in the World Is Yanukovych?|Oleg Shynkarenko|February 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The cousin is said by the FBI to have relinquished his title as boss after his own conviction for racketeering.
Meet Tony Zerilli, the Mobster Behind This Jimmy Hoffa Dig|Michael Daly|June 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
An investigation absolved Tunnell of any direct blame, but by then Tunnell had relinquished command of the brigade.
6 Ways the U.S. Failed in Afghanistan: Speed Read of ‘Little America’|The Daily Beast|July 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
A repeal means the government has relinquished its duty to protect and serve the people.
Dwarf Tossing Should Be Illegal|Bill Klein|October 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST
No other president has relinquished international leadership and power so casually.
Obama and Merkel Play Friends for the Cameras|Russell A. Berman|June 5, 2011|DAILY BEAST
I have written to her, and to Mrs. Coningsby; and she is perfectly free: every bond is relinquished, but that of the heart.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
The United States will adjudicate and settle the claims of its citizens against Spain relinquished in this article.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
General Miller then relinquished the pursuit and returned to Yloilo to await reinforcements for a campaign through the Island.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
Finally, with tears in his eyes, Tchaikovsky came round to Kashkins view, and relinquished his intention of writing this opera.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky
To that salary, however, Leeds had clung, year after year; and he now relinquished it with a very bad grace.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay

British Dictionary definitions for relinquish

relinquish

/ (rɪˈlɪŋkwɪʃ) /

verb (tr)

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

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

to release; let go

Derived forms of relinquish

relinquisher, nounrelinquishment, noun

Word Origin for relinquish

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

relinquish

OTHER WORDS FOR relinquish

Origin of relinquish

synonym study for relinquish

OTHER WORDS FROM relinquish

Words related to relinquish

How to use relinquish in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for relinquish

Derived forms of relinquish

Word Origin for relinquish