relinquish
rih-LIHNGK-wihsh
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.”
verb
1
To give up or hand over a right, position, or possession, often reluctantly.
"The king was forced to relinquish his throne."
"She relinquished control of the company after the merger."
How to use relinquish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo let go of something you had, usually a right, power, or claim, often unwillingly.
When to use it
More formal than "give up" — common in legal and official contexts.
Common pairings
relinquish control
relinquish a claim
relinquish power
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- relinquishes
- Past tense
- relinquished
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
View more →Antonyms
Related words
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.
