resign

[ ri-zahyn ]

verb (used without object)

1. to give up an office or position, often formally (often followed by from ):

   to resign from the presidency.

   Synonyms: withdraw

2. to submit; yield:

   to resign before the inevitable.

verb (used with object)

1. to give up (an office, position, etc.), often formally.

   Synonyms: leave, quit, abdicate, renounce

2. to relinquish (a right, claim, agreement, etc.).

   Synonyms: cede, surrender, forgo, give up

3. to give or sign over, as to the control or care of another:

   She resigned her child to an adoption agency.

4. to submit (oneself, one's mind, etc.) without resistance.

resign

/ rɪˈzaɪn /

verb

1. whenintr, often foll by from to give up tenure of (a job, office, etc)
2. tr to reconcile (oneself) to; yield

   to resign oneself to death

3. tr to give up (a right, claim, etc); relinquish

   he resigned his claim to the throne

Derived Forms

• reˈsigner, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of resign¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English resignen, from Middle French resigner, from Latin resignāre “to open, release, cancel,” literally, “to seal back,” from re- re- + signāre “to mark, seal” ( sign )

Word History and Origins

Origin of resign¹

C14: from Old French resigner , from Latin resignāre to unseal, invalidate, destroy, from re- + signāre to seal; see sign

Example Sentences

After Gaetz resigned from Congress last week, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., urged the panel to shelve the report.

From Salon

The New Zealander, who has rejected speculation that there is a break clause after next year's Six Nations in his contract, said he would resign if it was in the interests of Welsh rugby.

From BBC

When she resigned in 2019, she did so on good terms with Trump — unlike many appointees — and later became the chair of the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-connected policy think tank.

From Los Angeles Times

It was back in 2012 that Mr John made the decision to resign from his hunt - after losing confidence the ban would ever be overturned.

From BBC

Gaetz has denied the allegations and release of the panel's findings is in doubt after Gaetz resigned from Congress last week, just two days before the committee was set to unveil its report.

From Salon

More About Resign

What does resign mean?

Resign most commonly means to give up one’s job or position.

When used this way, resign can be used without an object, as in He resigned yesterday, or with one, as in She is expected to resign her position. In its general sense, resign means to yield or submit, as in When he knew he couldn’t possibly win the match, he decided to resign. 

Example: They say he resigned on his own, but I think he was forced out.

Where does resign come from?

Resign has been used to mean “quit” or “yield” since at least the 1300s. It is ultimately derived from the Latin verb resignāre, meaning “give up” or “unseal, invalidate, destroy.” Resignāre is formed from the prefix re-, meaning “again,” and signāre, meaning “to seal.”

When used in the sense of leaving a position, resign is synonymous with quit, but the two words can imply different things. To say that someone quit their job often (though not always) implies that they left because they didn’t like something about it. Someone can resign due to negative circumstances, but the word itself doesn’t imply this without additional context. For example, a politician might resign due to a scandal, or an employee might resign to protest a policy they consider unethical. But resigning doesn’t always involve negative circumstances. A person might resign because they’re moving or they want to change their career.

Sometimes, people are given the option to resign instead of being fired. This especially happens in governmental or political appointments.

A person who has resigned is often said to have tendered (or given) their resignation.

Resign can also mean “to give oneself up to a feeling or circumstance,” as in I just have to resign myself to the fact that I’ll never be a professional bowler.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to resign?

• resignation (noun)
• resigned (adjective)
• resignedly (adverb)
• resigner (noun)

What are some synonyms for resign?

• quit
• step down
• vacate
• yield
• submit

What are some words that share a root or word element with resign? 

 

• signature
• redeem

What are some words that often get used in discussing resign?

• position
• office
• commission
• leave
• effective
• immediately
• suddenly
• abruptly

What are some words resign may be commonly confused with?

• re-sign

How is resign used in real life?

Although anyone can resign from any job, the word is most commonly associated with politicians.

Victor Matemadanda said Prosecutor General Kumbirai Hodzi must resign from his job if he believes there are obstacles standing in the way of fighting corruption.
…I say ED must resign if he believes sanctions are the obstacles standing in the way of developing the nation.

— Solomon Harudzibwi (@S_Harudzibwi) March 3, 2020

.@LabourRichard says he will not stand down on the back of Scottish Labour's disastrous European election results. He says there were no calls for him to resign at this afternoon's MSP group meeting.

— Alistair Grant (@alistairkgrant) May 28, 2019

Boris Johnson fails to answer backbench MP's question: if Cabinet Office Inquiry finds Priti Patel breached Ministerial Code will she be expected to resign? He simply reiterates support for her saying "I'm sticking by her", but says a couple of minutes later: "I loathe bullying"

— Danny Shaw (@DannyShawBBC) March 4, 2020

 

 

Try using resign!

Is resign used correctly in the following sentence?

The majority of employees threatened to resign in protest of the new dress code.