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Synonyms

resignation

American  
[rez-ig-ney-shuhn] / ˌrɛz ɪgˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. the act of resigning.

    Synonyms:
    abdication
  2. a formal statement, document, etc., stating that one gives up an office, position, etc.

    Synonyms:
    abdication
  3. an accepting, unresisting attitude, state, etc.; submission; acquiescence.

    to meet one's fate with resignation.

    Synonyms:
    forbearance, compliance, patience
    Antonyms:
    recalcitrance

resignation British  
/ ˌrɛzɪɡˈneɪʃən /

noun

  1. the act of resigning

  2. a formal document stating one's intention to resign

  3. a submissive unresisting attitude; passive acquiescence

"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

Usage

What does resignation mean? Resignation is the act of resigning—quitting one’s job or giving up one’s position.In this context, it can also refer to the formal statement or document that announces a person’s intention to resign. This sense of the word is often used with the verb tender, meaning to formally offer or present, as in I’ve tendered my resignation, effective immediately. It can also be used as a modifier, as in resignation letter.Resignation can also mean an accepting, unresisting attitude or state of submission, as in There is a sense of resignation in the room now that most of the votes are in and there doesn’t appear to be any path to victory. Example: Several senior officials have tendered their resignations, but it’s unclear whether they will be accepted.

Other Word Forms

  • nonresignation noun
  • proresignation adjective

Etymology

Origin of resignation

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin resignātiōn-, stem of resignātiō “cancellation, rescinding,” from Latin resignāt(us) “canceled” (past participle of resignāre “to open, release, cancel”; resign ) + -iō -ion

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.

India's largest airline IndiGo has named aviation industry veteran William Walsh as its new chief executive, weeks after the resignation of its former CEO.

From BBC

“Leonard stepping down from the Board could further weigh on the stock in the near term, though not to the same extent as his health-related resignation last September,” Kwan says.

From The Wall Street Journal

The retirement follows criticism from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and a Quebec legislature motion demanding Rousseau’s resignation.

From The Wall Street Journal

When Simons quit, the prime minister said he accepted the resignation "with sadness", expressing his thanks "for the commitment, focus, and energy you have brought to ministerial office".

From BBC

A congressional funding impasse caused thousands of TSA employees to go unpaid, prompting record call-outs and resignations.

From The Wall Street Journal