relinquish
13 synonyms and 4 antonyms for relinquish, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To give up or hand over a right, position, or possession, often reluctantly.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use relinquish
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
relinquish control
relinquish a claim
relinquish power
More formal than "give up" — common in legal and official contexts.
Etymology
From Middle French relinquir, from Latin relinquere, "to leave behind" — from re- plus linquere, "to leave."
Full origin of relinquish →Frequently asked questions
What does “relinquish” mean?
The word “relinquish” means to give up or hand over a right, position, or possession, often reluctantly. In plain terms, to let go of something you had, usually a right, power, or claim, often unwillingly.
How do you pronounce “relinquish”?
“Relinquish” is pronounced rih-LIHNGK-wihsh (/ɹɪˈlɪŋkwɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “relinquish” in a sentence?
Here is “relinquish” used in a sentence: “The king was forced to relinquish his throne.”
What part of speech is “relinquish”?
“Relinquish” is a verb.
Where does the word “relinquish” come from?
The word “relinquish” comes from Latin. From Middle French relinquir, from Latin relinquere, "to leave behind" — from re- plus linquere, "to leave.".
Is “relinquish” a common word?
“Relinquish” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
