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Synonyms

surrender

American  
[suh-ren-der] / səˈrɛn dər /

verb (used with object)

  1. to yield (something) to the possession or power of another; deliver up possession of on demand or under duress.

    to surrender the fort to the enemy; to surrender the stolen goods to the police.

  2. to give (oneself ) up, as to the police.

  3. to give (oneself ) up to some influence, course, emotion, etc..

    He surrendered himself to a life of hardship.

  4. to give up, abandon, or relinquish (comfort, hope, etc.).

    Synonyms:
    renounce
  5. to yield or resign (an office, privilege, etc.) in favor of another.

    Synonyms:
    forgo, abandon, cede, waive

verb (used without object)

  1. to give oneself up, as into the power of another; submit or yield.

    Synonyms:
    capitulate

noun

  1. the act or an instance of surrendering.

    Synonyms:
    relinquishment, capitulation
  2. Insurance. the voluntary abandonment of a life-insurance policy by the owner for any of its nonforfeiture values.

  3. the deed by which a legal surrendering is made.

surrender British  
/ səˈrɛndə /

verb

  1. (tr) to relinquish to the control or possession of another under duress or on demand

    to surrender a city

  2. (tr) to relinquish or forego (an office, position, etc), esp as a voluntary concession to another

    he surrendered his place to a lady

  3. to give (oneself) up physically, as or as if to an enemy

  4. to allow (oneself) to yield, as to a temptation, influence, etc

  5. (tr) to give up (hope, etc)

  6. (tr) law to give up or restore (an estate), esp to give up a lease before expiration of the term

  7. obsolete (tr) to return or render (thanks, etc)

  8. to present oneself at court at the appointed time after having been on bail

"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

noun

  1. the act or instance of surrendering

  2. insurance the voluntary discontinuation of a life policy by its holder in return for a consideration (the surrender value )

  3. law

    1. the yielding up or restoring of an estate, esp the giving up of a lease before its term has expired

    2. the giving up to the appropriate authority of a fugitive from justice

    3. the act of surrendering or being surrendered to bail

    4. the deed by which a legal surrender is effected

"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

Related Words

See yield.

Other Word Forms

  • nonsurrender noun
  • presurrender noun
  • prosurrender adjective
  • surrenderer noun
  • unsurrendered adjective
  • unsurrendering adjective

Etymology

Origin of surrender

First recorded in 1425–75; (for the verb) late Middle English surrendren, from Anglo-French surrender, Old French surrendre “to give up,” from sur- sur- 1 + rendre “to render” ( render 1 ); (for the noun) from Anglo-French; Old French surrendre, noun use of the infinitive

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.

Martin’s early defense of the Fed’s independence and Burns’s later surrender are deeply imprinted into the Fed’s institutional memory.

From The Wall Street Journal

The West Wing and Field of Dreams actor, 68, who has denied the allegations, surrendered to state authorities last month when a warrant was issued for his arrest.

From BBC

By the time he returned to New York, following a voluntary surrender in Concord, N.H.,

From The Wall Street Journal

In fact, he’s now worries the company risks surrendering its lead on a few fronts.

From MarketWatch

"Russia is 10 times our size. But still we can't surrender."

From BBC