relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness.
relinquished her crown
yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force.
the troops yielded ground grudgingly
resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle.
resigned her position
surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist.
surrendered their claims
abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up.
abandoned all hope
waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion.
waived the right to a trial by jury
Example Sentences
They had turned to an open adoption after pursuing infertility treatments for 18 years, and the birth mother had agreed to relinquish custody at the hospital. Emily Nussbaum, Discover, January 2000In April of that year Albert Slyusar, one of the legendary figures of the Afghanistan war, had relinquished command of 103 Guards Airborne Division. Carey Schofield, The Russian Elite, 1993The feedback seems to operate on the premise that people who relinquish the civilized art of maintaining creative cities are not to be entrusted with the risks of developing further. Jane Jacobs, Cities and the Wealth of Nations, (1984) 1985The Major no sooner heard the voice, than he relinquished Mr Dombey's arm, darted forward, took the hand of the lady in the chair and pressed it to his lips. Charles Dickens, Dombey and Son, 1848 I will not relinquish my rights. She was forced to relinquish control of the project. The court ordered him to relinquish custody of his child. See More
Recent Examples on the WebIn other words, Coney Barrett is saying, keep the baby until term, and then relinquish it anonymously—perhaps into a safe haven box. Maria Laurino, The New Republic, 25 Aug. 2022 The Wall Street Journal reported in July that billionaire Jack Ma plans to relinquish control of Ant Group, as the fintech giant seeks to move away from Alibaba and works to revive its public listing. Yue Wang, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 Ukraine's ambassador to the UN, at a tense emergency meeting on Wednesday, asked Russia to relinquish its role as president of the Security Council. Zachary B. Wolf, CNN, 25 Feb. 2022 Turpeau, who in addition to chairman has served for several months as interim executive director, has promised to relinquish the staff role by the end of August. J. Scott Trubey, ajc, 24 Aug. 2021 Shriver had established the grist mill and tannery complex at Union Mills with his brother, Andrew, only to relinquish the role when appointed superintendent for the construction of the Baltimore-Reisterstown Turnpike. Frank Batavick, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, 11 June 2021 At least for now, Benko, 33, can relinquish the anxiety that comes with that white slip of paper.New York Times, 3 Aug. 2022 The deal sees Vue’s main backers, the Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) and Canadian pensions fund Omers, relinquish their shareholdings nine years after first taking control of Vue for around £1 billion in 2013. Manori Ravindran, Variety, 14 July 2022 Kioko, once ahead by as much as 100 meters, didn’t relinquish the lead until the 19th of 25 laps. David Woods, The Indianapolis Star, 9 June 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English relinquisshen, from Anglo-French relinquiss-, stem of relinquir, from Latin relinquere to leave behind, from re- + linquere to leave — more at loan