quit
1 of 3verb
ˈkwit 
quit also quitted; quitting
transitive verb
1
a
: give up sense 1
quit a job
b
: give up sense 2
quit smoking
c
: to depart from or out of
d
: to leave the company of
2
: to make full payment of : pay up
quit a debt
3
: to set free : relieve, release
quit oneself of fear
4
: conduct, acquit
the youths quit themselves like men
intransitive verb
1
: to give up employment
2
: to cease normal, expected, or necessary action
the engine quit
3
: to admit defeat : give up
quit
2 of 3adjective
: released from obligation, charge, or penalty
especially : free
quit
3 of 3noun
: the act or an instance of quitting a job
Did you know?
Is it quit or resign?
Should you quit or should you resign from your job? No matter which one you choose, it is likely that both of these actions will have the exact same effect on your future, as they are, in this sense, fairly synonymous. However, each is more likely to be found used in specific settings, so you may wish to choose your word with care. Resign is more formal, and will often be found when a person is describing relinquishing a position or office, especially if it is done in disgrace. While it would not be incorrect to say that a member of an organization's board, a king or queen, or a political leader "quit their position," it is more likely that the word resign would be employed.
Synonyms
Verb
- bag
- chuck
- leave
- resign (from)
- retire (from)
- step aside (from)
- step down (from)
Adjective
- disencumbered
- free
- shut (of)
- unburdened
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb She quit college after one semester. She decided to quit show business. He quit teaching after five years. Many workers are quitting because of poor pay. She hates her job and she's thinking about quitting. She quit smoking years ago. I wish you would quit bothering her. We're going to quit for the day. It's too hot to keep working. Adjective I am finally quit of that terrible task. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Sep. 2022 By some estimates, nearly one in five health care workers quit their jobs during the pandemic. Jessica Bartlett, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2022 And workers quit their jobs at historic rates, with many moving from lower-paying, less prestigious jobs, to higher-paying, more flexible positions. Good Housekeeping, 6 Sep. 2022 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4.2 million Americans quit their jobs in June of 2022. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2022 The number of times workers quit their jobs edged down to 4.2 million in July from the prior month’s 4.3 million. Bryan Mena, WSJ, 30 Aug. 2022 In 2021, roughly 47 million Americans voluntarily quit their jobs, the highest rate on record. Camille Fetter, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Simmons got another job as a security guard but had to quit. Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2022 More than 1 in 4 health department leaders quit their jobs during the pandemic, some after harassment and death threats. Brenda Goodman, CNN, 22 Aug. 2022 Michelle Cheng, Quartz, 30 Aug. 2022 The overall quit rate was 4.1% in July, which is down from 5.9% a year ago, indicating that The Great Resignation may be slowing somewhat. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2022 In fact, more than half of adult cigarette smokers make a serious quit attempt each year (quitting for at least a day), but most do not succeed due to the addictive nature of cigarettes. Jen Christensen, CNN, 21 June 2022 That marks the highest rate on record since the BLS began tracking the quit numbers December 2000. Michelle Cheng, Quartz, 13 Oct. 2021 If Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has learned one thing about his young team this season, it’s that there is absolutely no quit in them. Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, 7 Apr. 2022 Getting a handle on burnout early is all the more important when serving a high-turnover industry like hospitality, which consistently has the highest quit rate of any industry, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Paige Mcglauflin, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2022 Even during a season that has gone completely off the rails, there is no quit in the coaching staff. Broderick Turner Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2022 Although a number of crew members have described the set as unsafe, and several quit shortly before the fatal shooting, the filing said that Mr. Baldwin had not heard about or observed any safety problems on the set. New York Times, 11 Mar. 2022 See More
Verb
Why is Aaron the one who hates his life and has to quit his job in this movie? Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Sep. 2022 By some estimates, nearly one in five health care workers quit their jobs during the pandemic. Jessica Bartlett, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2022 And workers quit their jobs at historic rates, with many moving from lower-paying, less prestigious jobs, to higher-paying, more flexible positions. Good Housekeeping, 6 Sep. 2022 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4.2 million Americans quit their jobs in June of 2022. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2022 The number of times workers quit their jobs edged down to 4.2 million in July from the prior month’s 4.3 million. Bryan Mena, WSJ, 30 Aug. 2022 In 2021, roughly 47 million Americans voluntarily quit their jobs, the highest rate on record. Camille Fetter, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Simmons got another job as a security guard but had to quit. Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2022 More than 1 in 4 health department leaders quit their jobs during the pandemic, some after harassment and death threats. Brenda Goodman, CNN, 22 Aug. 2022 Noun
Overall, the quit rate for all non-farm jobs fell slightly from the month before. Michelle Cheng, Quartz, 30 Aug. 2022 The overall quit rate was 4.1% in July, which is down from 5.9% a year ago, indicating that The Great Resignation may be slowing somewhat. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2022 In fact, more than half of adult cigarette smokers make a serious quit attempt each year (quitting for at least a day), but most do not succeed due to the addictive nature of cigarettes. Jen Christensen, CNN, 21 June 2022 That marks the highest rate on record since the BLS began tracking the quit numbers December 2000. Michelle Cheng, Quartz, 13 Oct. 2021 If Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has learned one thing about his young team this season, it’s that there is absolutely no quit in them. Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, 7 Apr. 2022 Getting a handle on burnout early is all the more important when serving a high-turnover industry like hospitality, which consistently has the highest quit rate of any industry, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Paige Mcglauflin, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2022 Even during a season that has gone completely off the rails, there is no quit in the coaching staff. Broderick Turner Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2022 Although a number of crew members have described the set as unsafe, and several quit shortly before the fatal shooting, the filing said that Mr. Baldwin had not heard about or observed any safety problems on the set. New York Times, 11 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English quiten, quitten, from Anglo-French quiter, from quite free of, released, from Latin quietus quiet, at rest
Adjective
Middle English quite, quit, from Anglo-French
First Known Use
Verb
13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2
Adjective
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun
circa 1923, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing quit
Kids Definition
quit
verb
ˈkwit
quit; quitting
: to leave or stop doing something
quit a job
quit smoking
quitting 1 of 3
noun
as in departure
the act of leaving a place we simply didn't know what to make of the couple's sudden quitting of the party Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- departure
- going
- exiting
- withdrawal
- departing
- exodus
- evacuation
- leave
- retirement
- parting
- decamping
- exit
- walking out
- flight
- emigration
- farewell
- decampment
- lighting out
- leave-taking
- retreat
- forsaking
- running away
- outgo
- embarkation
- abandonment
- diaspora
- relinquishment
- egress
- disembarkation
- embarkment
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- arrival
- appearance
- advent
- approach
- coming
- entrance
- ingress
quitting
2 of 3adjective
1
as in surrendering
Synonyms & Similar Words
- surrendering
- hesitating
- faltering
- wavering
- yielding
- hesitant
- vacillating
- irresolute
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- resistant
- persistent
- unhesitating
- unfaltering
- unwavering
- patient
- insistent
- persevering
- resolved
- dogged
- positive
- tenacious
- sure
- certain
- resolute
- intent
- dedicated
- pertinacious
- determined
- assured
- firm
- hell-bent
- single-minded
2
as in stopping
Synonyms & Similar Words
- stopping
- finishing
- discontinuing
- closing
- dying
- ceasing
- terminating
- ending
- passing
- desisting
- lapsing
- concluding
- expiring
- leaving off
- winding up
- waning
- subsiding
- abating
- moderating
- ebbing
- letting up
- dying (down)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- remaining
- leftover
- residual
- lingering
- persisting
- enduring
- continuing
- lasting
- abiding
- holding up
- keeping up
- biding
- holding on
- running on
- perduring
quitting
3 of 3verb
1
as in leaving
to give up (a job or office) he decided to quit his job at the fast-food restaurant Synonyms & Similar Words
- leaving
- abandoning
- giving notice
- chucking
- bagging
- vacating
- resigning (from)
- retiring (from)
- stepping down (from)
- stepping aside (from)
- throwing up
- dropping out (of)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- staying (at)
- hiring (out or on)
2
as in abandoning
to stop doing (something) permanently her doctor told her it was high time she quit smoking Synonyms & Similar Words
- abandoning
- discontinuing
- dropping
- ending
- finishing
- ceasing
- closing
- concluding
- halting
- knocking off
- giving up
- pausing
- having done (with)
- packing (up or in)
- expiring
- laying off (of)
- terminating
- hanging it up
- shutting off
- breaking off
- leaving off
- tapering off
- breaking up
- throwing up
- wrapping up
- winding up
- rounding (off or out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- continuing
- maintaining
- keeping
- going
- persevering
- keeping up
- resuming
- staying
- hanging on
- holding on
- starting
- hanging in
- reopening
- renewing
- restarting
- beginning
- preserving
- carrying on
- persisting
- commencing
- running on
- following through (with)
3
as in ceasing
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end quit pestering your coworkers with pointless questions Synonyms & Similar Words
- stopping
- ceasing
- ending
- halting
- delaying
- discontinuing
- suspending
- finishing
- suspending
- dropping
- breaking
- concluding
- completing
- calling
- cutting off
- canning
- shutting off
- laying off
- cutting out
- breaking off
- leaving off
- giving over
- knocking off
- deactivating
- ruining
- breaking up
- staying
- blocking
- pausing
- aborting
- impeding
- packing (up or in)
- hindering
- having done with
- abolishing
- holding
- obstructing
- blockading
- putting the kibosh on
- destroying
- suppressing
- killing
- dissolving
- checking
- desisting (from)
- stemming
- holding back
- arresting
- demolishing
- annulling
- stunting
- scuttling
- squashing
- stamping
- snuffing
- detaining
- turning back
- kiboshing
- braking
- closing (down)
- clamping down
- squelching
- damming
- stanching
- staunching
- reining (in)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- continuing
- progressing
- advancing
- proceeding
- keeping up
- driving
- running on
- stirring
- following through (with)
- carrying on
- propelling
- actuating
- impelling
4
as in deserting
to cause to remain behind he quit the house sometime around nine this morning and hasn't been seen since Synonyms & Similar Words
- leaving
- abandoning
- deserting
- forsaking
- dumping
- stranding
- ditching
- marooning
- discarding
- relinquishing
- walking away from
- escaping
- jettisoning
- renouncing
- scrapping
- shedding
- flinging
- vacating
- disowning
- walking out on
- ignoring
- junking
- sacrificing
- rejecting
- abjuring
- throwing away
- forgetting
- surrendering
- repudiating
- cutting off
- neglecting
- throwing out
- distancing
- disregarding
- handing over
- delivering
- shucking (off)
- yielding
- giving up
- withdrawing (from)
- retreating (from)
- taking off (from)
- separating (from)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- having
- owning
- keeping
- retaining
- holding
- withholding
- saving
- possessing
- reclaiming
- reserving
- rescuing
- harboring
- redeeming
5
as in succumbing
to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control) tried to persuade his daughter to remain at home, but eventually he just quit and let her go out on her own Synonyms & Similar Words
- succumbing
- submitting
- surrendering
- conceding
- relenting
- capitulating
- bowing
- budging
- yielding
- blinking
- deferring
- acquiescing
- knuckling under
- giving in
- throwing in the sponge
- throwing in the towel
- saying uncle
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- resisting
- fighting
- confronting
- contending
- opposing
- facing
- meeting
- combating
- defying
- objecting
- combatting
- countering
- repelling
- thwarting
- withstanding
- battling
- holding off
- breasting
6
as in ending
to come to an end will this teasing ever quit? Synonyms & Similar Words
- stopping
- ending
- ceasing
- halting
- expiring
- concluding
- finishing
- terminating
- dying
- closing
- discontinuing
- going
- stalling
- passing
- lapsing
- determining
- elapsing
- breaking off
- leaving off
- winding up
- letting up
- dead-ending
- breaking up
- staying
- suspending
- pausing
- biting the dust
- winking (out)
- cutting out
- knocking off
- giving over
- breaking down
- abating
- winding down
- laying off (of)
- refraining (from)
- packing (up or in)
- desisting (from)
- conking (out)
- petering (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- continuing
- persisting
- prolonging
- hanging on
- protracting
- extending
- drawing out
7
as in paying
to give what is owed for eager to quit all debts before starting married life Synonyms & Similar Words
- paying
- meeting
- settling
- balancing
- liquidating
- standing
- discharging
- paying off
- recompensing
- clearing
- footing
- paying up
- springing (for)
- ponying up
- anteing (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- repudiating
8
as in exiting
to leave a place often for another we plan to quit the amusement park around seven tonight and then head to the diner for some food Synonyms & Similar Words
- exiting
- moving
- departing
- getting
- going
- starting
- bailing
- escaping
- evacuating
- fleeing
- retiring
- withdrawing
- parting
- flying
- emigrating
- retreating
- skipping
- running along
- pulling out
- abandoning
- getting off
- walking out
- booking
- peeling off
- bailing out
- cutting out
- pushing off
- digging out
- pushing on
- taking off
- going off
- scarpering
- bugging out
- beating it
- clearing out
- deserting
- clearing off
- taking a hike
- vamoosing
- taking a powder
- buggering off
- removing
- taking a walk
- bugging off
- forsaking
- decamping
- pulling stakes
- sallying (forth)
- absconding
- hitting the road
- pulling up stakes
- vacating
- shoving (off)
- buzzing (off)
- packing (up or off)
- scramming
- setting out
- stepping (along)
- striking out
- piking (out or off)
- running away
- getting out
- mizzling
- going out
- stepping out
- adjourning
- scatting
- lighting out
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- coming
- arriving
- staying
- remaining
- closing
- settling
- approaching
- turning up
- reaching
- dwelling
- nearing
- lodging
- hitting
- abiding
- landing
- tarrying
- showing up
9
as in behaving
to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way I thought the kids quitted themselves quite well at the concert tonight Synonyms & Similar Words
- behaving
- carrying
- acquitting
- composing
- handling
- conducting
- restraining
- demeaning
- controlling
- playing
- collecting
- inhibiting
- deporting
- containing
- acting
- checking
- curbing
- comporting
- constraining
- repressing
- moderating
- quieting
- bearing
- modulating
- tempering
- impersonating
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- misbehaving
- misconducting
- carrying on
- acting up
- cutting up
- anti-riot
- anti-ritualism
- anti-rock
- anti-roll
- anti-roll bar
- anti-romantic
- anti-romanticism
- anti-royal
- anti-royalist
- anti-Russian
- anti-rust
- anti-sabbatarian
- anti-satellite
- anti-schizophrenia
- anti-schizophrenic
- anti-science
- anti-scientific
- anti-secession
- anti-secessionist
- anti-secessionists
- anti-secrecy
- anti-segregation
- anti-seize
- anti-seizure
- anti-Semite