resign

1 of 2

verb (1)

re·​sign ri-ˈzīn 

resigned; resigning; resigns

transitive verb

1

: relegate, consign

especially : to give (oneself) over without resistance

resigned herself to her fate

2

: to give up deliberately

especially : to renounce (something, such as a right or position) by a formal act

intransitive verb

1

: to give up one's office or position : quit

2

: to accept something as inevitable : submit

resignedness

ri-ˈzī-nəd-nəs 

noun

resigner

ri-ˈzī-nər 

noun

re-sign

2 of 2

verb (2)

(ˌ)rē-ˈsīn 

re-signed; re-signing; re-signs

transitive verb

: to sign again

especially : to rehire (someone, such as an athlete) by means of a signed contract

intransitive verb

: to sign up again

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• abdicate
• abnegate
• cede
• relinquish
• renounce
• step aside (from)
• step down (from)
• surrender

Choose the Right Synonym for resign

relinquish, yield, resign, surrender, abandon, waive mean to give up completely.

relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness.

relinquished her crown

yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force.

the troops yielded ground grudgingly

resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle.

resigned her position

surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist.

surrendered their claims

abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up.

abandoned all hope

waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion.

waived the right to a trial by jury

abdicate, renounce, resign mean to give up a position with no possibility of resuming it.

abdicate implies a giving up of sovereign power or sometimes an evading of responsibility such as that of a parent.

abdicated the throne

renounce may replace it but often implies additionally a sacrifice for a greater end.

renounced her inheritance by marrying a commoner

resign applies to the giving up of an unexpired office or trust.

resigned from the board

Examples of resign in a Sentence

Verb (1)

The senator was forced to resign his position.

The newspaper's editor resigned after the scandal.

He resigned from his job as principal of the school.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But while several outlets had reported that Blanchard, who held numerous titles with Impact Wrestling, the brief rebranding of TNA, had resigned to the promotion, the wrestler denies it. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

In his heartbreak over the destruction of the natural world—and, thus, along with it, all other worlds there might be—Peter resigned himself to a belief, to the truth that there is nothing to be done to save us, that all is doomed and nothing really even matters. —Chris Wallace, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2024

Verb

If the Mets didn't need to fill holes in the starting rotation, bullpen, and across the field, re-signing Alonso would make a lot more sense. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

Soto’s decision to bolt the Bronx is nothing short of disappointing for the Bombers, whose ideal offseason plan revolved around re-signing the charismatic right fielder. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French resigner, from Latin resignare, literally, to unseal, cancel, from re- + signare to sign, seal — more at sign

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (2)

1805, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing resign

• resign oneself

Kids Definition

resign

verb

re·​sign ri-ˈzīn 

1

: to give up by a formal or official act

resign an office

2

: to give up an office or position : quit

3

: to yield to without resistance

resign oneself to disappointment