RESIGN Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'resign' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of resign are abandon , relinquish , surrender , waive , and yield . While all these words mean "to give up completely," resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle. // resigned her position

Q: When would 'abandon' be a good substitute for 'resign'?

Although the words abandon and resign have much in common, abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up. // abandoned all hope

Q: When is 'relinquish' a more appropriate choice than 'resign'?

The synonyms relinquish and resign are sometimes interchangeable, but relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness. // relinquished her crown

Q: When is it sensible to use 'surrender' instead of 'resign'?

The words surrender and resign can be used in similar contexts, but surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist. // surrendered their claims

Q: Where would 'waive' be a reasonable alternative to 'resign'?

The meanings of waive and resign largely overlap; however, waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion. // waived the right to a trial by jury

Q: When can 'yield' be used instead of 'resign'?

The words yield and resign are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force. // the troops yielded ground grudgingly

resign

verb

ri-ˈzīn

Definition of resign next

as in to abdicate

to give up (as a position of authority) formally following the election, the incumbent cabinet members resigned their positions so the president could feel free to pick a new administration

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word resign different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of resign are abandon, relinquish, surrender, waive, and yield. While all these words mean "to give up completely," resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle.

resigned her position

When would abandon be a good substitute for resign?

Although the words abandon and resign have much in common, abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up.

abandoned all hope

When is relinquish a more appropriate choice than resign?

The synonyms relinquish and resign are sometimes interchangeable, but relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness.

relinquished her crown

When is it sensible to use surrender instead of resign?

The words surrender and resign can be used in similar contexts, but surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist.

surrendered their claims

Where would waive be a reasonable alternative to resign?

The meanings of waive and resign largely overlap; however, waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion.

waived the right to a trial by jury

When can yield be used instead of resign?

The words yield and resign are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force.

the troops yielded ground grudgingly

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of resign The worker, whose identity the Union-Tribune verified, did not plan to resign. —

Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025 At a press conference Friday morning, DeSantis said Nuñez isn’t resigning today. —

Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025 Ravenel was then elected state treasurer in 2006, but only served in the role for five months before resigning after he was indicted on federal cocaine charges in the following year. —

EW.com, 7 Feb. 2025 But Gates lamented the current state of the chipmaker, two months after Pat Gelsinger abruptly resigned as CEO following company-wide layoffs. —

Michael Kan, PCMAG, 6 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for resign

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resign

Verb

In many areas — most notably in trade policy, where Trump threatens to inflict a lasting injury on the global economy — the legislature abdicated years ago.

— Clive Crook, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
The article explores some potential outcomes: Meta is not entirely abdicating responsibility for what appears on its platforms.

— Natalie Proulx, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025