RESIGN Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'resign' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of resign are abandon , relinquish , surrender , waive , and yield . While all these words mean "to give up completely," resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle. // resigned her position

Q: When would 'abandon' be a good substitute for 'resign'?

Although the words abandon and resign have much in common, abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up. // abandoned all hope

Q: When is 'relinquish' a more appropriate choice than 'resign'?

The synonyms relinquish and resign are sometimes interchangeable, but relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness. // relinquished her crown

Q: When is it sensible to use 'surrender' instead of 'resign'?

The words surrender and resign can be used in similar contexts, but surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist. // surrendered their claims

Q: Where would 'waive' be a reasonable alternative to 'resign'?

The meanings of waive and resign largely overlap; however, waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion. // waived the right to a trial by jury

Q: When can 'yield' be used instead of 'resign'?

The words yield and resign are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force. // the troops yielded ground grudgingly

resign

verb

ri-ˈzīn

Definition of resign next

as in to abdicate

to give up (as a position of authority) formally following the election, the incumbent cabinet members resigned their positions so the president could feel free to pick a new administration

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word resign different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of resign are abandon, relinquish, surrender, waive, and yield. While all these words mean "to give up completely," resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle.

resigned her position

When would abandon be a good substitute for resign?

Although the words abandon and resign have much in common, abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up.

abandoned all hope

When is relinquish a more appropriate choice than resign?

The synonyms relinquish and resign are sometimes interchangeable, but relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness.

relinquished her crown

When is it sensible to use surrender instead of resign?

The words surrender and resign can be used in similar contexts, but surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist.

surrendered their claims

Where would waive be a reasonable alternative to resign?

The meanings of waive and resign largely overlap; however, waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion.

waived the right to a trial by jury

When can yield be used instead of resign?

The words yield and resign are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force.

the troops yielded ground grudgingly

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of resign Ramirez-Rosa resigned from that leadership post and from his coveted Zoning Committee chair role after apologizing, leading to a power vacuum in council leadership that was not filled until Johnson tapped vice mayor Ald. —

Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025 Smith resigned as special prosecutor last week after wrapping up the cases and submitting his report to Garland. —

Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 15 Jan. 2025 What To Know Calls for Newsom to resign have escalated over the past week. —

Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025 Trudeau has resigned as leader of the Liberal Party, but not yet as prime minister. —

David Frum, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for resign

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resign

Verb

This decision not only undermines the reproductive rights of American women but also sets a perilous precedent for the court’s willingness to abdicate its own power.

— Steven Delco, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2025
The intervention in Syria also allowed Russia to assume the role of protector of Christians in the Middle East—a role that, in Putin’s view, decadent Western powers had abdicated, and a mission that fit neatly with Putin’s desire to present Russia as Europe’s last bastion of Christian values.

— Alexander Baunov, Foreign Affairs, 26 Dec. 2024