Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for resignation

resignation

[ rez-ig-ney-shuhn ]

noun

  1. the act of resigning.

    Synonyms: abdication

  2. a formal statement, document, etc., stating that one gives up an office, position, etc.

    Synonyms: abdication

  3. an accepting, unresisting attitude, state, etc.; submission; acquiescence:

    to meet one's fate with resignation.

    Synonyms: forbearance, compliance, patience

    Antonyms: recalcitrance



resignation

/ ˌrɛzɪɡˈneɪʃən /

noun

  1. the act of resigning
  2. a formal document stating one's intention to resign
  3. a submissive unresisting attitude; passive acquiescence
“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


Discover More

Other Words From

  • nonres·ig·nation noun
  • prores·ig·nation adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of resignation1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin resignātiōn-, stem of resignātiō “cancellation, rescinding,” from Latin resignāt(us) “canceled” (past participle of resignāre “to open, release, cancel”; resign ) + -iō -ion
Discover More

Example Sentences

Here is what happened according to Potts, as well as interviews with her daughter and father, Walker, chiefs of staff for both Walker and Mallott, Mallott’s son Anthony and others who watched the resignation unfold.

Richardson said she stayed late at work at the Atwood Building and drafted a resignation letter for Mallott, unsure if he wanted to use it.

Since Rapoport’s resignation, which many of Bon Appétit’s most prominent staff endorsed, the food publication has faced a near-constant stream of resignations and call-outs from current staff.

From Eater

I had gotten a resignation letter and I knew I was going to pull it out one day.

From Ozy

Cybele Thompson, who has served as the city’s real estate chief since 2014, submitted a brief resignation letter to Chief Operating Officer Kris Michell on Monday.

In response, Greenberg offered the Times his resignation, which was refused.

Residents of Rome even called for his resignation for defying city ordinances.

They seized key government buildings and forced the resignation of then Prime Minister Mohammed Basindwa.

Just days before his resignation, Driscoll had been confronted with the results of the investigation by church elders.

Because when it comes to domestic violence, that kind of resignation can be lethal.

His attitude was one of hopeless resignation as he looked toward a distant bird winging its flight away from him.

If he fall, God has his wise purpose in the judgement, and I shall find resignation.

With resignation he made the necessary preparations for the trip, and taking Orlean with him, went to the small town.

Tom took his passage home; he also told Sir William that his resignation, whether the Board accepted it or not, was final.

The resignation of Sunderland had put many honest gentlemen in good humour.

Advertisement

Discover More

More About Resignation

What does resignation mean?

Resignation is the act of resigning—quitting one’s job or giving up one’s position.

In this context, it can also refer to the formal statement or document that announces a person’s intention to resign. This sense of the word is often used with the verb tender, meaning to formally offer or present, as in I’ve tendered my resignation, effective immediately. It can also be used as a modifier, as in resignation letter.

Resignation can also mean an accepting, unresisting attitude or state of submission, as in There is a sense of resignation in the room now that most of the votes are in and there doesn’t appear to be any path to victory. 

Example: Several senior officials have tendered their resignations, but it’s unclear whether they will be accepted.

Where does resignation come from?

The first records of the word resignation come from the 1300s. It is ultimately derived from the Latin verb resignāre, meaning “give up” or “unseal, invalidate, destroy.”

When used in the sense of leaving a position, resign is synonymous with quit, but the two words can imply different things. To say that someone quit their job often (though not always) implies that they left because they didn’t like something about it. Someone can resign due to negative circumstances, but the word itself doesn’t imply this without additional context. For example, a politician might resign due to a scandal, or an employee might resign to protest a policy they consider unethical. But resignation doesn’t always involve negative circumstances. A person might resign because they’re moving or they want to change their career.

Sometimes, people are given the option of resignation instead of being fired. This especially happens in governmental or political appointments. When an official offers their resignation in order to take responsibility for a failure or scandal, it’s possible that their boss might not accept it—meaning that they can keep their job or position.

When it’s used to refer to an attitude of acceptance, resignation typically implies that the person recognizes that there is nothing left to be done to improve the situation and is resigned to their fate.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to resignation?

What are some synonyms for resignation?

What are some words that share a root or word element with resignation

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing resignation?

How is resignation used in real life?

Resignation is most commonly used in the context of quitting a job, especially in a public way.

 

 

Try using resignation!

Is resignation used correctly in the following sentence?

Several employees are threatening resignation in protest of the new dress code.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


resignresigned