relinquish
verb
re·lin·quish
ri-ˈliŋ-kwish 
-ˈlin-
relinquished; relinquishing; relinquishes
1
: to withdraw or retreat from : leave behind
2
: give up
relinquish a title
Examples of relinquish in a Sentence
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 2000
In 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, 1993
The 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) 1985
The 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.
Emily Nussbaum, Discover, January 2000
In 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, 1993
The 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) 1985
The 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.
Recent Examples on the Web
The New York congresswoman had relinquished her No. 4 leadership slot as House Republican Conference Chair since she had been named Trump’s UN pick, and Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) was elected in her place.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
So Paul relinquished the same number of sacks and just one less pressure in 272 fewer pass blocking snaps than Armstead played.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
Because these behavioral issues are not dissected, addressed or asked about during vet visits, many people relinquish their dogs to animal shelters.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Pssst: Kevin Garnett returning to the Timberwolves’ front office as the face of the team now that Taylor is relinquishing ownership has been done for more than a year, assuming new ownership.
—Charley Walters, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relinquish
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Emily Brooks, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
So Paul relinquished the same number of sacks and just one less pressure in 272 fewer pass blocking snaps than Armstead played.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
Because these behavioral issues are not dissected, addressed or asked about during vet visits, many people relinquish their dogs to animal shelters.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Pssst: Kevin Garnett returning to the Timberwolves’ front office as the face of the team now that Taylor is relinquishing ownership has been done for more than a year, assuming new ownership.
—Charley Walters, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relinquish
Cite this Entry
“Relinquish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relinquish. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
relinquish
verb
re·lin·quish
ri-ˈliŋ-kwish
1
: to withdraw or retreat from : leave behind
relinquished their homes and sailed to the New World
2
: to give over to the control or possession of another
relinquish a title
3
: to let go of : release
relinquish your grip on the bar
few leaders willingly relinquish power
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