relinquish

[ ri-ling-kwish ]

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.

relinquish

/ 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

Derived Forms

• reˈlinquishment, noun
• reˈlinquisher, noun

Other Words From

• re·linquish·er noun
• re·linquish·ment noun
• nonre·linquish·ment noun
• unre·linquished adjective
• unre·linquish·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of relinquish¹

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of relinquish¹

C15: from French relinquir , from Latin relinquere to leave behind, from re- + linquere to leave

Synonym Study

See abandon.

Example Sentences

It doesn’t matter if I fight Jon, if he relinquishes the belt, if he waits it out for a bit and then we fight, whatever.

From BBC

They accuse the platform of forcing them to relinquish their copyright when they sign contracts – and with it, their claim to profit.

From BBC

It says most children are now adopted from care, with only a small number "relinquished" for adoption.

From BBC

By autumn 2023, Trump had opened a massive lead in most Republican primary polls – a margin he would never relinquish.

From BBC

By relinquishing that quest and settling into her new ghostly state –– which, we agree with Billy, suits her –– Agatha can impart the wisdom she’s learned walking the proverbial Witches Road.

From Salon

Related Words

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