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¹surrender

verb sur·ren·der \sə-ˈren-dər\

: to agree to stop fighting, hiding, resisting, etc., because you know that you will not win or succeed

: to give the control or use of (something) to someone else

: to allow something (such as a habit or desire) to influence or control you

sur·ren·deredsur·ren·der·ing\-d(ə-)riŋ\

Full Definition of SURRENDER

transitive verb

a : to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand <surrendered the fort>

b : to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another

a : to give (oneself) up into the power of another especially as a prisoner

b : to give (oneself) over to something (as an influence)

intransitive verb

: to give oneself up into the power of another : yield

See surrender defined for English-language learners

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Origin of SURRENDER

Middle English surrendren, from surrendre, noun

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to SURRENDER

Synonyms: cede, cough up, deliver, give up, hand over, lay down, relinquish, render, turn in, turn over, yield

Antonyms: resist

Synonym Discussion of SURRENDER

relinquish, yield, resign, surrender, abandon, waive mean to give up completely. relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness <relinquished her crown>. yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force <the troops yielded ground grudgingly>. resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle <resigned her position>. surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist <surrendered their claims>. abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up <abandoned all hope>. waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion <waived the right to a trial by jury>.

Rhymes with SURRENDER

amender, ascender, attender, auslander, bartender, commender, contender, defender, descender, emender, engender, expender, extender, fork-tender, goaltender, hellbender, intender, offender, pretender, suspender, tailender, transgender, weekender

²surrender

noun

: an agreement to stop fighting, hiding, resisting, etc., because you know that you will not win or succeed : an act of surrendering

: the act of giving the control or use of something to someone else

: the act of allowing yourself to be influenced or controlled by someone or something

Full Definition of SURRENDER

a : the action of yielding one's person or giving up the possession of something especially into the power of another

b : the relinquishment by a patentee of rights or claims under a patent

c : the delivery of a principal into lawful custody by bail —called also surrender by bail

d : the voluntary cancellation of the legal liability of an insurance company by the insured and beneficiary for a consideration

e : the delivery of a fugitive from justice by one government to another

: an instance of surrendering

See surrender defined for English-language learners

Origin of SURRENDER

Middle English surrendre, from Anglo-French, from surrendre, susrendre to relinquish, from sur- & sus-, suz under + rendre to give back — more at render, sous

First Known Use: 15th century