relinquish
verb
re·lin·quish
ri-ˈliŋ-kwish 
-ˈlin-
relinquished; relinquishing; relinquishes
1
: to withdraw or retreat from : leave behind
2
: give up
relinquish a title
Synonyms
Examples of relinquish in a Sentence
They had turned to an open adoption after pursuing infertility treatments for 18 years, and the birth mother had agreed to relinquish custody at the hospital.
—
Emily Nussbaum, Discover, January 2000
In April of that year Albert Slyusar, one of the legendary figures of the Afghanistan war, had relinquished command of 103 Guards Airborne Division.
—Carey Schofield, The Russian Elite, 1993
The feedback seems to operate on the premise that people who relinquish the civilized art of maintaining creative cities are not to be entrusted with the risks of developing further.
—Jane Jacobs, Cities and the Wealth of Nations, (1984) 1985
The Major no sooner heard the voice, than he relinquished Mr Dombey's arm, darted forward, took the hand of the lady in the chair and pressed it to his lips.
—Charles Dickens, Dombey and Son, 1848
I will not relinquish my rights.
She was forced to relinquish control of the project.
The court ordered him to relinquish custody of his child.
Emily Nussbaum, Discover, January 2000
In April of that year Albert Slyusar, one of the legendary figures of the Afghanistan war, had relinquished command of 103 Guards Airborne Division.
—Carey Schofield, The Russian Elite, 1993
The feedback seems to operate on the premise that people who relinquish the civilized art of maintaining creative cities are not to be entrusted with the risks of developing further.
—Jane Jacobs, Cities and the Wealth of Nations, (1984) 1985
The Major no sooner heard the voice, than he relinquished Mr Dombey's arm, darted forward, took the hand of the lady in the chair and pressed it to his lips.
—Charles Dickens, Dombey and Son, 1848
I will not relinquish my rights.
She was forced to relinquish control of the project.
The court ordered him to relinquish custody of his child.
Recent Examples on the Web
Their father died and their mother eventually relinquished parental rights.
—Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024
He’s relinquished almost all aspects of life to devices up to and including giving Gromit — Wallace’s eminently capable, permanently skeptical best friend — a pat on his head.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2024
Yes, but: The Padres would never relinquish the lead.
—Kate Murphy, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024
Lancefield's perspective is acutely clear: to be a leader in 2024 and beyond requires trust while simultaneously relinquishing control.
—Dan Pontefract, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for relinquish 
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Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024
He’s relinquished almost all aspects of life to devices up to and including giving Gromit — Wallace’s eminently capable, permanently skeptical best friend — a pat on his head.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2024
Yes, but: The Padres would never relinquish the lead.
—Kate Murphy, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024
Lancefield's perspective is acutely clear: to be a leader in 2024 and beyond requires trust while simultaneously relinquishing control.
—Dan Pontefract, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for relinquish
Dictionary Entries Near relinquish
Cite this Entry
“Relinquish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relinquish. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
relinquish
verb
re·lin·quish
ri-ˈliŋ-kwish
1
: to withdraw or retreat from : leave behind
relinquished their homes and sailed to the New World
2
: to give over to the control or possession of another
relinquish a title
3
: to let go of : release
relinquish your grip on the bar
few leaders willingly relinquish power
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