1
as in to relinquish
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress
the toddler surrendered the doll to her mother after a brief struggle the commander surrendered the garrison without having fired a single shot
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2
as in to succumb
to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control)
the father refused to surrender to his son's constant begging for a BB gun
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3
as in to resign
to give up (as a position of authority) formally
the aging queen refused to surrender the throne to her increasingly impatient heir
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4
as in to submit
to give up and cease resistance (as to a liking, temptation, or habit)
determined to give up smoking, she so far has not surrendered to her incessant desire to have a cigarette
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5
as in to capitulate
to yield to the control or power of enemy forces
General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865, thus ending the Civil War
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6
as in to indulge
to give (oneself) over to something especially unrestrainedly
laid-off workers who surrender themselves to despair will almost certainly never regain their footing
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as in submission
the usually forced yielding of one's person or possessions to the control of another
the police demanded the surrender of all hostages as a condition for allowing the hijackers safe passage out of the country
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of surrender
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
As part of his bail conditions, Alves was not permitted to leave the country and had to surrender his Spanish and Brazilian passports to Spanish authorities.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero and More, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Michael S. Schmidt, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2025
Spiraling out of control Republicans in Congress celebrated the Democratic surrender by filing articles of impeachment against the judge.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surrender
Verb
After a one-out walk to Ozuna, Vásquez surrendered his second hit of the game, a single by Albies that put runners at first and second.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
As part of his bail conditions, Alves was not permitted to leave the country and had to surrender his Spanish and Brazilian passports to Spanish authorities.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero and More, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
Trump commutes Carlos Watson’s sentence hours before his surrender.
—Michael S. Schmidt, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2025
Spiraling out of control Republicans in Congress celebrated the Democratic surrender by filing articles of impeachment against the judge.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surrender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surrender
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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The houses also provided a measure of protection for the young women away from home and assumed to be in danger of succumbing to urban corruption.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
2 Apr. 2025
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Despite the disparity in shots, Eastern Hills held on, but finally succumbed to Lake Dallas 4-1. Lake Dallas (15-6-2) moves on and will face undefeated Waxahachie Life (24-0-0) in the area round next week.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Acting Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commissioner Melanie Krause is resigning after a deal was made to share immigrants’ tax data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).—
Lauren Irwin,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
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The Internal Revenue Service's acting commissioner — its third leader this year — is resigning after reaching a controversial agreement to release immigrants' tax data to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), multiple outlets reported.—
Avery Lotz,
Axios,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In a concurring opinion submitted with a unanimous denial of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals Monday, Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III −a Reagan appointee − laid out an argument that sending deportees out of the country would allow the government to avoid due process.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
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Nearly 140 local artists then submitted original designs with personal statements explaining the image and themes used.—
Ashley Fredde,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Pileggi can’t write outside of his own sandbox, which means that DeNiro indulges the usual nefariousness.—
Armond White,
National Review,
21 Mar. 2025
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Go the practical route and indulge her with a new pan from one of our favorite brands.—
Brie Schwartz,
Glamour,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Barbosa quickly and easily took the fight to the ground to secure the submission.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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Send submissions here and read more Metropolitan Diary here.—
James Barron,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Yes, in 2025 there is no shortage of digital apps, planners and workspaces to render conventional notebooks obsolete – but a quick visit to any stationery store will prove that there's strong support for the physical versions.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Apr. 2025
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Gloria and Emilio Estefan’s team also provided information that could render these accusations null.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Deputy Latah County Prosecutor Ashley Jennings also flat out denied Taylor's accusations that prosecutors were slow-walking discovery and said everything the defense has asked for has been provided, a point that Taylor conceded in front of the judge.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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His interrogator conceded that the police must have gotten the wrong guy and released him within weeks.—
Gisela Salim-Peyer,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surrender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surrender. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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