relinquish

American  

[ri-ling-kwish] / rɪˈlɪŋ kwɪʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to renounce or surrender (a possession, right, etc.).

   to relinquish the throne.

2. to give up; put aside or desist from.

   to relinquish a plan.

   Synonyms:

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

3. to let go; release.

   to relinquish one's hold.

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relinquish British  

/ rɪˈlɪŋkwɪʃ /

verb

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

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

3. to release; let go

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Related Words

See abandon.

Other Word Forms

• nonrelinquishment noun
• relinquisher noun
• relinquishment noun
• unrelinquished adjective
• unrelinquishing adjective

Etymology

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 )

Example Sentences

Bohm’s lawsuit demands at least $3 million in damages and that his parents relinquish control of the accounts.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

I’m willing to negotiate a trade right now: Give us decent bedside charging, and I will gratefully relinquish every last hotel alarm clock on the planet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

The Briton lost just one point over his next three service games and would not relinquish control of the tie-break after winning four of the first five points.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

At some point, you will have to relinquish the control you have over your children.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 16, 2026

I could scream now, cling to the banister, relinquish dignity.

From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood

Related Words

• abandon
• abdicate
• cede
• drop out
• forgo
• hand over
• quit
• renounce
• surrender
• vacate
• waive
• withdraw
• yield