resign
1 of 2verb (1)
re·sign ri-ˈzīn 
resigned; resigning; resigns
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
noun resigner
ri-ˈzī-nər
noun re-sign
2 of 2verb (2)
(ˌ)rē-ˈsīn
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)
- abdicate
- abnegate
- cede
- relinquish
- renounce
- step aside (from)
- step down (from)
- surrender
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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
Thomas Catenacci, Fox News, 17 July 2022 The protesters have succeeded in forcing the leaders to resign, but refuse to leave the luxury houses until both of them have vacated their roles. Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 12 July 2022 That day, the parliament speaker’s office announced that Rajapaksa would resign in a video statement. Dylan Butts, NBC News, 11 July 2022 After refusing to resign for months, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson finally succumbed to political pressure and quit. CBS News, 10 July 2022 Johnson finally agreed to step down after one of his closest allies, Treasury Chief Nadhim Zahawi, told the prime minister to resign for the good of the country. Danica Kirka, Orlando Sentinel, 7 July 2022 Fortenberry’s attorney, John Littrell, argued that the conviction has already devastated his client’s life by forcing him to resign from Congress, stripping away his right to vote and own firearms, and putting his federal pension at risk. Brian Melley, BostonGlobe.com, 28 June 2022 The previous prime minister, Theresa May, also temporarily avoided an early end to her term after surviving a confidence vote in 2018, only to see her authority among Conservative lawmakers tumble, forcing her to resign less than six months later. Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2022 The scandal culminated early this year, forcing Zucker to resign under pressure, ostensibly for failing to disclose a relationship with fellow CNN executive Allison Gollust, who was recently forced out over alleged violations of company rules. Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2022 See More
Verb
In addition, over the weekend, thousands of citizens in Sri Lanka stormed the private residence of the nation's prime minister, forcing him and the country's president to resign. Thomas Catenacci, Fox News, 17 July 2022 The protesters have succeeded in forcing the leaders to resign, but refuse to leave the luxury houses until both of them have vacated their roles. Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 12 July 2022 That day, the parliament speaker’s office announced that Rajapaksa would resign in a video statement. Dylan Butts, NBC News, 11 July 2022 After refusing to resign for months, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson finally succumbed to political pressure and quit. CBS News, 10 July 2022 Johnson finally agreed to step down after one of his closest allies, Treasury Chief Nadhim Zahawi, told the prime minister to resign for the good of the country. Danica Kirka, Orlando Sentinel, 7 July 2022 Fortenberry’s attorney, John Littrell, argued that the conviction has already devastated his client’s life by forcing him to resign from Congress, stripping away his right to vote and own firearms, and putting his federal pension at risk. Brian Melley, BostonGlobe.com, 28 June 2022 The previous prime minister, Theresa May, also temporarily avoided an early end to her term after surviving a confidence vote in 2018, only to see her authority among Conservative lawmakers tumble, forcing her to resign less than six months later. Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2022 The scandal culminated early this year, forcing Zucker to resign under pressure, ostensibly for failing to disclose a relationship with fellow CNN executive Allison Gollust, who was recently forced out over alleged violations of company rules. Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2022 See More 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
Phrases Containing resign
Kids Definition
resign
verb
re·sign ri-ˈzīn
resigned; resigning
1
: to give up (a job or position) by a formal or official act
2
: to prepare to accept something unpleasant
Unable to sleep, I resigned myself to await his return … Mildred D. Taylor, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Mildred D. Taylor, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cryresigns
verb
as in abdicates
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
Relevance
- abdicates
- relinquishes
- renounces
- cedes
- denies
- surrenders
- vacates
- waives
- disowns
- abandons
- disavows
- abnegates
- forsakes
- abjures
- disclaims
- steps down (from)
- steps aside (from)
- demits
- quits
- hands over
- yields
- deserts
- gives up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- assumes
- claims
- appropriates
- seizes
- defends
- confiscates
- arrogates
- protects
- usurps
- secures
- takes over
- wrests
- guards
- safeguards