relinquish
Relinquish (verb) means to give up or hand over a right, position, or possession, often reluctantly. Example: “The king was forced to relinquish his throne.”
How to use relinquish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo let go of something you had, usually a right, power, or claim, often unwillingly.
More formal than "give up" — common in legal and official contexts.
Word forms
relinquished past tense, relinquishes singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The king was forced to _____ his throne.
Etymology
From Middle French relinquir, from Latin relinquere, "to leave behind" — from re- plus linquere, "to leave."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for relinquish
See all rhymes for 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.