relinquish
gb/ɹɪlˈɪŋkwɪʃ/ us/ɹɪlˈɪŋkwɪʃ/
C1
English
átad, lemond, felad, elenged
VERB
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
relinquish [something] (to [someone])
After months of protests, the leader agreed to relinquish power.
Hónapokig tartó tiltakozások után a vezető beleegyezett, hogy átadja a hatalmat.
She relinquished control of the project to her deputy while she was on leave.
Amíg szabadságon volt, átadta a projekt irányítását a helyettesének.
The company was forced to relinquish ownership of the patent.
Learner examples
He relinquished his position as manager.
Lemondott a vezetői pozíciójáról.
They refused to relinquish control of the land.
Nem voltak hajlandók lemondani a föld feletti irányításról.
Common mistake:
Learners often use it like a phrasal verb (*relinquish up*). Use it without a particle; you can add “to [someone]” when naming the new person in control.
Meaning
formally give up control or possession
Collocations
relinquish control
|relinquish power
|relinquish authority
|relinquish ownership
|relinquish responsibility
|relinquish command
|relinquish a position
|relinquish a role
|relinquish possession
|relinquish the post
Synonyms
surrender (Often suggests pressure, defeat, or unwillingness.)
|
cede (Emphasizes formally giving territory, rights, or control to another party.)
|
hand over (More neutral and conversational; focuses on transfer to someone else.)
|
yield (Highlights giving way to another person or force.)
Antonyms
retain (To keep control or possession instead of giving it up.)
|
maintain (To continue to hold or exercise control.)
|
seize (To take control or possession rather than give it up.)
Themes
business
|politics
|law
Definition
To stop controlling or owning something and let someone else have it.
To give up control, authority, or possession of something, especially in a deliberate or official way.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
relinquish [something]
He refused to relinquish the hope that they would find her alive.
Nem volt hajlandó feladni a reményt, hogy élve találják meg.
She finally relinquished the idea of moving abroad this year.
Végül feladta azt az elképzelést, hogy idén külföldre költözik.
They wouldn’t relinquish their claim, even after the ruling.
Learner examples
I don’t want to relinquish my dream.
Nem akarom feladni az álmomat.
She relinquished hope of an apology.
Feladta a reményt, hogy bocsánatot kérnek tőle.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse with “renounce,” which often implies a public or moral rejection; “relinquish” focuses on letting go or giving up possession/control.
Meaning
give up something valued or desired
Collocations
relinquish hope
|relinquish the idea
|relinquish a dream
|relinquish an ambition
|relinquish a claim
|relinquish the chance
|relinquish your principles
|relinquish the right
|relinquish an advantage
|relinquish expectations
Synonyms
abandon (Often implies leaving something behind completely or suddenly.)
|
forgo (Emphasizes choosing not to have or do something.)
|
give up (More common and less formal.)
|
let go of (Often emotional; focuses on releasing attachment.)
Antonyms
pursue (To keep trying for a goal rather than giving it up.)
|
cling to (To hold on emotionally or stubbornly.)
|
insist on (To continue to demand or maintain a position.)
Themes
emotions
|goals
|daily_life
Definition
To accept that you must give something up.
To stop holding on to something you want or feel attached to, such as a hope, plan, belief, or advantage.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
3
elenged
A2
Usage pattern:
relinquish [someone/something]
He wouldn’t relinquish her hand until the doors opened.
Nem engedte el a kezét, amíg ki nem nyíltak az ajtók.
Relinquish your grip on the ladder before you step back.
Mielőtt hátralépsz, engedd el a létrát.
She reluctantly relinquished the microphone and returned to her seat.
Learner examples
Please relinquish the rope slowly.
Kérlek, lassan engedd el a kötelet.
He relinquished my hand.
Elengedte a kezemet.
Common mistake:
This sense is less common than “give up control/power”; in everyday speech, “let go” is usually more natural.
Meaning
let go of something you are holding
Collocations
relinquish your grip
|relinquish your hold
|relinquish his hand
|relinquish the rope
|relinquish the railing
|relinquish the handle
|relinquish the wheel
|relinquish the phone
|relinquish her arm
|relinquish the bag
Synonyms
release (Neutral; often used for opening the hand or freeing something.)
|
let go (More everyday and direct.)
|
loosen (Suggests relaxing the grip rather than fully letting go.)
Antonyms
grip (To hold tightly rather than let go.)
|
clutch (To hold tightly, often in fear or urgency.)
|
hold on to (To keep holding instead of releasing.)
Themes
body
|daily_life
Definition
To let go of something in your hand.
To loosen your grip and stop holding someone or something.
Grammar
Dictionary form
relinquish
IPA
GB/ɹɪlˈɪŋkwɪʃ/
US/ɹɪlˈɪŋkwɪʃ/
Syllables & stress
re - lin - quish (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (lin)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: relinquish
- 3rd Person Singular: relinquishes
- Present Participle: relinquishing
- Past: relinquished
Expressions
relinquish control
1/ɹɪlˈɪŋkwɪʃ kəntɹˈoʊl/
fixed phrase
formal
stop being in charge
To stop controlling a situation.
Examples
- He found it hard to relinquish control of the team.
- The founders reluctantly relinquished control to outside investors.
- To recover, she had to relinquish control of things she couldn’t change.
Learner examples
- It is difficult to relinquish control.
- She relinquished control to her assistant.
relinquish power
1/ɹɪlˈɪŋkwɪʃ pˈaʊɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
give up political authority
To stop being the person with authority.
Examples
- The president promised to relinquish power after the election.
- Few dictators relinquish power voluntarily.
- The agreement required both sides to relinquish power to a transitional council.
Learner examples
- The leader refused to relinquish power.
relinquish responsibility
1/ɹɪlˈɪŋkwɪʃ ɹispˌɑnsɪbˈɪləti/
fixed phrase
formal
stop being accountable
To stop being responsible for something.
Examples
- As the project grew, she had to relinquish responsibility for day-to-day decisions.
- Managers cannot simply relinquish responsibility when things go wrong.
- He relinquished responsibility to his colleague and moved to a new role.
Learner examples
- She relinquished responsibility for the report.
relinquish the reins
1/ɹɪlˈɪŋkwɪʃ ðə ɹˈeɪnz/
idiom
formal
give up leadership and control
To let someone else be in control.
Examples
- After ten years, she finally relinquished the reins to a successor.
- The founder was reluctant to relinquish the reins, even after retiring.
- It’s hard to relinquish the reins when you built the company yourself.
relinquish your claim to something
1/ɹɪlˈɪŋkwɪʃ jˈʊɹ klˈeɪm tə sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
stop saying you have a right
To stop claiming something is yours or is owed to you.
Examples
- She agreed to relinquish her claim to the property.
- He refused to relinquish his claim to the title.
- Under the settlement, the company relinquished its claim to the trademark.
Learner examples
- He relinquished his claim to the money.
relinquish your rights
1/ɹɪlˈɪŋkwɪʃ jˈʊɹ ɹˈaɪts/
fixed phrase
formal
give up legal entitlements
To give up your legal rights.
Examples
- You should get legal advice before you relinquish your rights.
- He refused to relinquish his rights to contact with his children.
- The contract asked users to relinquish certain rights to refunds.
Learner examples
- Don’t relinquish your rights without advice.