relinquish

/rɪˈlɪŋkwɪʃ/
verbIntermediate
formal

To voluntarily give up or surrender something, typically a right, position, or possession, often with reluctance or under pressure.

After years of service, the CEO decided to relinquish his position to a younger executive.

The company's founder reluctantly relinquished control to the board of directors.

💡

Often used in formal or legal contexts, implying a deliberate and sometimes difficult decision.

Collocations

relinquish controlto give up authority or management of somethingrelinquish powerto surrender political or authoritative influencerelinquish claimto abandon a legal or moral right to something

Synonyms

Antonyms

💡Pro Tip

Formal Context

Use 'relinquish' in formal or legal contexts, such as business, law, or official statements.

📖Word Origin

From Middle French 'relinquir' (to abandon), from Latin 'relinquere' (to leave behind), from 're-' (back) + 'linquere' (to leave).

📝Usage Notes

The word often implies a formal or significant surrender, and it is more commonly used in written or formal speech than in casual conversation.

Word Breakdown

re-
back
prefix
+
-linquish
to leave
root
English Dictionary