resignation
Americannoun
-
resignations
plural
-
the act of resigning.
- Synonyms:
- abdication
-
a formal statement, document, etc., stating that one gives up an office, position, etc.
- Synonyms:
- abdication
-
an accepting, unresisting attitude, state, etc.; submission; acquiescence.
to meet one's fate with resignation.
- Synonyms:
- forbearance, compliance, patience
- Antonyms:
- recalcitrance
noun
-
the act of resigning
-
a formal document stating one's intention to resign
-
a submissive unresisting attitude; passive acquiescence
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of resignation
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”; see resign) + -iō -ion
Explanation
Resignation can mean either stepping down from a job or accepting an unpleasant but inevitable situation. You could even feel resignation as you announce your resignation. Once you've announced or handed in your formal resignation to a job, organization, or political office, you're finished. You've formally quit or stepped down. If you've left the position due to budget cuts, you'll probably leave with a feeling of resignation — acknowledging that there's absolutely nothing you can do about it.
Vocabulary lists containing resignation
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 1
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"The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs
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A Raisin in the Sun
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Albania's capital Tirana saw clashes for a fifth straight day Saturday as protesters demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, who pledged to listen to their criticism.
From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026
Thousands of demonstrators are demanding Rama's resignation and more support for students, citing poor university conditions and high tuition fees.
From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026
Guilfoyle’s resignation caps an unusual, decades-long run in the public spotlight that has captivated many, particularly in California, where she was formerly married to Gov. Gavin Newsom.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
A lawyer representing Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya submitted his resignation letter at his disciplinary hearing on Monday, a police spokesperson said.
From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026
His chief tactic was the threat of resignation—underscored now and then by an actual resignation.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
The disclosure prompted arrests of some officials in Europe, corporate resignations and congressional hearings.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
With their resignations, The Icahn Group also waived its right to appoint replacement directors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026
They spoke as debate over AI's risks has intensified following a string of resignations by employees at major AI labs citing safety concerns.
From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026
Will sackings be required in the absence of any further resignations?
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
At Hanawon, the resettlement center in South Korea, job counselors say that workplace paranoia, stormy resignations, and lingering feelings of betrayal are chronic problems as North Koreans adjust to new lives.
From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
