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relinquish

verb

/rɪˈlɪŋkwɪʃ/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of relinquish

To voluntarily give up, abandon, or surrender something, often a right, claim, possession, or responsibility.
"The shareholders forced him to relinquish control of the company."

Detailed meaning of relinquish

When someone relinquishes, they make a deliberate decision to release or let go of whatever it is they previously held or owned, transferring it to another party or allowing it to be set aside. This term can apply to various situations, such as relinquishing control of a business, relinquishing a cherished personal possession, or relinquishing a position of authority. "Relinquish" underscores the voluntary nature of the action, highlighting the act of willingly and consciously yielding or abandoning something that one previously had ownership or control over.

Example sentences containing relinquish

1. He was forced to relinquish his position as CEO due to the scandal.
2. She relinquished her rights to the property in the divorce settlement.
3. The company was required to relinquish control of the subsidiary.
4. He reluctantly relinquished his seat on the board of directors.
5. She chose to relinquish her claim to the inheritance.
6. The government was pressured to relinquish control of the country's natural resources.

History and etymology of relinquish

The verb 'relinquish' has its roots in Latin, specifically from the word 'relinquere.' It is formed by combining 're,' which indicates 'back' or 'again,' and 'linquere,' meaning 'to leave' or 'to abandon.' In Latin, 'relinquere' meant to leave something behind, abandon, or surrender it voluntarily. As the term made its way into English, it retained this core meaning, describing the action of voluntarily giving up, abandoning, or surrendering something, often a right, claim, possession, or responsibility. The etymology of 'relinquish' underscores the concept of willingly leaving behind or letting go of something, emphasizing the voluntary nature of giving up or surrendering.

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Further usage examples of relinquish

1. He was forced to relinquish his passport as a condition of his bail.
2. She decided to relinquish her role as primary caregiver for her elderly parents.
3. The company was required to relinquish its monopoly on the market.
4. He was asked to relinquish his role as team leader due to poor performance.
5. She had to relinquish her dream of becoming a professional athlete due to injury.
6. The organization was pressured to relinquish its controversial policy.
7. She decided to relinquish her role as team captain to pursue other interests.
8. The treaty required both nations to relinquish their territorial claims.
9. He was forced to relinquish his hold on the company due to financial difficulties.
10. The explorer had to relinquish his quest in the face of insurmountable obstacles.
11. After years of litigation, he finally agreed to relinquish his property.
12. The king chose to relinquish the throne in favor of his son.
13. The government urged citizens to relinquish their illegal firearms.
14. She reluctantly decided to relinquish her cherished childhood home.
15. The athlete had to relinquish her title due to a career-ending injury.
16. The company was forced to relinquish control of its subsidiary.
17. The court ordered him to relinquish custody of the children to their mother.
18. He was hesitant to relinquish his hard-earned savings for the investment.
19. The resistance fighters refused to relinquish their stronghold.
20. The chef had to relinquish his Michelin star due to health issues.
21. The artist chose to relinquish her copyright for the greater good of the project.
22. She decided to relinquish her claim to the family heirloom.
23. The conquerors demanded that the defeated nation relinquish its sovereignty.
24. The CEO was pressured to relinquish his position amidst scandal.
25. The hero had to relinquish his superpowers to save the world.
26. They finally agreed to relinquish their dispute and seek a peaceful resolution.