resignation

American  

[rez-ig-ney-shuhn] / ˌrɛz ɪgˈneɪ ʃən /

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

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resignation British  

/ ˌrɛzɪɡˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of resigning

2. a formal document stating one's intention to resign

3. a submissive unresisting attitude; passive acquiescence

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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

• nonresignation
  noun
• proresignation
  adjective

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.

Example Sentences

His resignation followed a February announcement about talks to potentially spin off Truth Social, the president’s social-media platform, from TMTG.

From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026

Streeting drafted his resignation letter in his wood-panelled ministerial office in the Palace of Westminster.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

It’s a chronicle of race history in the late 19th and 20th centuries, with all the unpleasantness, and yet it is an act of poetic aspiration, resignation and bravura aesthetics.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Sardina said she was furious when she learned of the school board members’ comments and has called for their resignation.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

And I suppose I looked at him with resignation, with a face that said: “Yes, it’s true, what else did you expect?”

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro

Related Words

• departure
• retirement
• surrender
• termination
• withdrawal