SURRENDER Synonyms: 151 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of surrender are abandon , relinquish , resign , waive , and yield . While all these words mean "to give up completely," surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist. // surrendered their claims

Q: In what contexts can 'abandon' take the place of 'surrender'?

While the synonyms abandon and surrender are close in meaning, abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up. // abandoned all hope

Q: When might 'relinquish' be a better fit than 'surrender'?

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

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

The words resign and surrender are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle. // resigned her position

Q: When can 'waive' be used instead of 'surrender'?

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

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

In some situations, the words yield and surrender are roughly equivalent. However, yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force. // the troops yielded ground grudgingly

surrender 1 of 2

verb

sə-ˈren-dər

Definition of surrender next

as in to relinquish

to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress the toddler surrendered the doll to her mother after a brief struggle the commander surrendered the garrison without having fired a single shot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to succumb

to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control) the father refused to surrender to his son's constant begging for a BB gun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to resign

to give up (as a position of authority) formally the aging queen refused to surrender the throne to her increasingly impatient heir

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to submit

to give up and cease resistance (as to a liking, temptation, or habit) determined to give up smoking, she so far has not surrendered to her incessant desire to have a cigarette

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to capitulate

to yield to the control or power of enemy forces General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865, thus ending the Civil War

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to indulge

to give (oneself) over to something especially unrestrainedly laid-off workers who surrender themselves to despair will almost certainly never regain their footing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

surrender

2 of 2

noun

as in submission

the usually forced yielding of one's person or possessions to the control of another the police demanded the surrender of all hostages as a condition for allowing the hijackers safe passage out of the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

resistance

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of surrender are abandon, relinquish, resign, waive, and yield. While all these words mean "to give up completely," surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist.

surrendered their claims

In what contexts can abandon take the place of surrender?

While the synonyms abandon and surrender are close in meaning, abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up.

abandoned all hope

When might relinquish be a better fit than surrender?

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

relinquished her crown

When would resign be a good substitute for surrender?

The words resign and surrender are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle.

resigned her position

When can waive be used instead of surrender?

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

waived the right to a trial by jury

When is it sensible to use yield instead of surrender?

In some situations, the words yield and surrender are roughly equivalent. However, 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 surrender

Verb

According to Rankin, the suspect surrendered peacefully. —

Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 16 Jan. 2025 At Dine in the Dark guests are asked to surrender their sight in exchange for enhancing their taste and smell. —

Caitlin Palumbo, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

Noun

Around 32% of all pets that ended up in shelters in 2024 were owner surrenders, up from 30.5% in 2019, according to Shelter Animals Count, a national database for animal rescues and shelters. —

Alana Semuels, TIME, 3 Dec. 2024 The biggest risk is that the policyholder premiums may be tied up until the surrender period of the policy. —

Tanmay Gupta, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for surrender

Recent Examples of Synonyms for surrender

Verb

The Chiefs wouldn’t relinquish the lead the rest of the game.

— Zak Keefer, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
And, to access the program, a parent must relinquish custody of his or her child to the state — a requirement many parents find inhumane.

— Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025