surrender

[ suh-ren-der ]

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

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

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

Derived Forms

• surˈrenderer, noun

Other Words From

• sur·render·er noun
• nonsur·render noun
• presur·render noun
• prosur·render adjective
• unsur·rendered adjective
• unsur·render·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of surrender¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of surrender¹

C15: from Old French surrendre to yield, from sur- ¹+ rendre to render

Synonym Study

See yield.

Example Sentences

Will they defend democracy or instead surrender and be collaborators and quislings?

From Salon

California’s Safely Surrendered Baby law allows for parents or guardians to confidentially surrender newborns under 72 hours old to hospitals or designated fire stations without questions or penalty of abandonment.

From Los Angeles Times

A parent or person with lawful custody has up to 14 days from the time of surrender to reclaim the newborn if they change their mind.

From Los Angeles Times

Authoritarians, fascists, autocrats, and demagogues actively encourage such malaise and surrender and related sentiments and behavior.

From Salon

He has promised to negotiate an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine even before his inauguration — and his other statements suggest he would do so by demanding that Ukraine surrender chunks of its territory.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abandonment
• abdication
• acquiescence
• capitulation
• delivery
• renunciation
• submission