resign

1 of 2

verb (1)

re·​sign ri-ˈzīn How to pronounce resign (audio)
resigned; resigning; resigns
Synonyms of resignnext

transitive verb

1
: relegate, consign
especially : to give (oneself) over without resistance
resigned herself to her fate
2
: to give up deliberately
especially : to renounce (something, such as a right or position) by a formal act

intransitive verb

1
: to give up one's office or position : quit
2
: to accept something as inevitable : submit
resignedness
ri-ˈzī-nəd-nəs How to pronounce resign (audio)
noun
resigner
ri-ˈzī-nər How to pronounce resign (audio)
noun

re-sign

2 of 2

verb (2)

(ˌ)rē-ˈsīn How to pronounce re-sign (audio)
re-signed; re-signing; re-signs

transitive verb

: to sign again
especially : to rehire (someone, such as an athlete) by means of a signed contract

intransitive verb

: to sign up again

Synonyms

Verb (1)

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for resign

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

abdicate, renounce, resign mean to give up a position with no possibility of resuming it.

abdicate implies a giving up of sovereign power or sometimes an evading of responsibility such as that of a parent.

abdicated the throne

renounce may replace it but often implies additionally a sacrifice for a greater end.

renounced her inheritance by marrying a commoner

resign applies to the giving up of an unexpired office or trust.

resigned from the board

Examples of resign in a Sentence

Verb (1) The senator was forced to resign his position. The newspaper's editor resigned after the scandal. He resigned from his job as principal of the school.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Many resigned themselves to the end of a democratic regime that didn’t seem to be working. —Christine Adams / Made By History, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024 This one will be very interesting because just last week, Ernst and Young resigned as the company's official auditor. —Jj Kinahan, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Only one of four writers think the Mets will re-sign him in MLB Trade Rumors' yearly free agency rankings and predictions. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Dodgers Will the Dodgers re-sign Teoscar Hernández? —Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for resign 

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French resigner, from Latin resignare, literally, to unseal, cancel, from re- + signare to sign, seal — more at sign

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (2)

1805, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of resign was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing resign

Dictionary Entries Near resign

re-sign

resign

resignatary

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Resign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resign. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

resign

verb
re·​sign ri-ˈzīn How to pronounce resign (audio)
1
: to give up by a formal or official act
resign an office
2
: to give up an office or position : quit
3
: to yield to without resistance
resign oneself to disappointment

More from Merriam-Webster on resign

Nglish: Translation of resign for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of resign for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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