English Reference
Verb

surrendering

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /sɝˈɛndɝɪŋ/ UK /səɹˈɛndəɹɪŋ/ sur·ren·der·ing

v.giving up or stopping a fight because you know you cannot win. It can also mean handing over something you own to someone else in power.

v.the present participle of 'surrender'; refers to the act of yielding to the power or control of another. Often describes a formal admission of defeat or the relinquishing of a possession or right.


SIMPLE

The soldiers are surrendering their weapons to the police.

CONTEXTUAL

After hours of intense negotiation, the suspect is surrendering to the authorities without further resistance.

COMPLEX

By surrendering his claim to the inheritance, he hoped to restore peace within the family and avoid a lengthy legal battle that would deplete their remaining assets.

Usage

The verb can be used intransitively ('they are surrendering') or transitively with a direct object ('surrendering their rights').

Pitfall
surrendering from the enemysurrendering to the enemy

When yielding to an opponent, the verb takes the preposition 'to', not 'from'.

Rodríguez has already been forced to defend herself against claims she is surrendering Venezuela’s natural resources to a foreign power.

The Guardian· 3 Sept 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated