verb
relinquish
rih-LIHNGK-wihsh
verb
1
To give up or hand over a right, position, or possession, often reluctantly.
"The king was forced to relinquish his throne."
"She relinquished control of the company after the merger."
How to Use Relinquish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo let go of something you had, usually a right, power, or claim, often unwillingly.
When to use it
More formal than "give up" — common in legal and official contexts.
Common pairings
relinquish control
relinquish a claim
relinquish power
Word Forms
relinquished past tense, relinquishes singular
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The king was forced to _____ his throne.
Etymology
From Middle French relinquir, from Latin relinquere, "to leave behind" — from re- plus linquere, "to leave."