WordValerelinquish
to give up or let go of
In more detail
1. (verb) to give up something that you have, own, or control; to let go of or release something
2. (verb) to stop holding or gripping something physically
Examples
- 1. She decided to relinquish her claim to the inheritance.
- 2. He relinquished his grip on the rope and fell into the water.
How to use relinquish
Relinquish is a formal verb used when someone deliberately gives up possession, authority, or a physical hold on something, often reluctantly or under obligation. It carries more weight than simple verbs like 'give up' and is common in legal, political, and formal written contexts. It emphasizes the act of releasing or surrendering rather than the reason behind it.
Common phrases
- relinquish control
- relinquish power
- relinquish one's grip
- relinquish a claim
- relinquish responsibility
Synonyms
surrender · renounce · yield · abandon · cede
Opposites
retain · hold · grasp
Word family
relinquishment (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse relinquish with 'relish' (to enjoy greatly), which are opposite in meaning and pronunciation.
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