# relinquish

/ɹiˈɫɪŋkwɪʃ/ (US) · /ɹɪlˈɪnkwɪʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/relinquish
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to give up control or power

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to give up a position of power, a right, or a responsibility.

For teachers: to surrender or yield control, authority, or a legal right, often formally.

- The king was forced to relinquish his throne after the revolution.
- The outgoing CEO agreed to relinquish his seat on the board to ensure a smooth transition for the new leadership team.

Usage: This verb is transitive and requires a direct object, typically an abstract noun like power, control, or rights.

### 2. to let go of an object

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary · Formal

to physically let go of something you are holding.

For teachers: to physically release one's grip or possession of a tangible object.

- She slowly relinquished her grip on the steering wheel as the car stopped.
- The child reluctantly relinquished the toy only after his mother promised they would return to the shop the following day.

Usage: Often used with 'grip' or 'hold' followed by the preposition 'on'.

### 3. to stop having a feeling or idea

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to stop holding onto a hope, a plan, or a belief.

For teachers: to abandon or cease to maintain a particular habit, belief, or emotional state.

- He found it difficult to relinquish the hope that his cat would return.
- The researchers had to relinquish their original hypothesis when the data consistently pointed toward a different conclusion.

## Examples

- The king decided to relinquish his throne to his daughter.
- After the scandal, the CEO was forced to relinquish his position and all voting rights in the company.
- The treaty required both nations to relinquish their claims to the disputed territory, effectively creating a neutral buffer zone that would be monitored by international observers.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.