What is relinquish? Pronunciation and usage in English

relinquish means . Learn how to pronounce and use relinquish through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of relinquish

relinquishverb

/rɪˈlɪŋkwɪʃ//rɪˈlɪŋkwɪʃ/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "relinquish." It's a tricky one for many English speakers! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables:

The word is broken down into three syllables:

  • rel - like "hell" but with an "r"
  • quin - rhymes with "win"
  • ish - like "fish"

2. Sounds & Emphasis:

  • rel: Pronounce the "r" clearly. It’s a strong, rolled "r" if you can manage it, but a standard "r" will also be understood.
  • quin: This is the trickiest part. It sounds like "kwin" – a short "u" sound, followed by "win." Think of the word "queen."
  • ish: Simply like the word "fish."

3. Combined Pronunciation:

Putting it all together, it sounds like: “REL-kwin-ish”

Here's a helpful way to visualize it:

  • REL (like "rel" in "relate")
  • kwin (like "queen")
  • ish (like "fish")

Resources for Hearing It:

Tips for Practicing:

  • Slow it down: Start by saying each syllable separately, then gradually increase the speed.
  • Record yourself: Listen back to see how you sound and compare it to the pronunciation examples.
  • Focus on the “kwin” sound: This is where most people stumble. Practice saying “queen” several times to get the “u” sound right.

Would you like me to:

  • Break down any specific part of the pronunciation?
  • Give you some example sentences using "relinquish"?

Usage and examples with the word relinquish in English

Let's break down how to use the word "relinquish." It's a bit of a formal word, so it's important to understand its nuances.

1. Core Meaning:

At its heart, "relinquish" means to voluntarily give up or surrender something. It implies letting go of something you previously held, often something valued or important. It’s stronger than simply “giving up” – there’s an element of conscious decision and often a sense of sacrifice involved.

2. How it's Used – Different Contexts:

Here’s how you can use “relinquish” in various situations, with examples:

  • Giving up rights or claims: This is a very common usage.

    • Example: “After years of legal battles, the company was forced to relinquish control of the patent.” (They had to give up control.)
    • Example: “He relinquished his claim to the throne when he decided to pursue a life of exploration.” (He gave up his right to be king.)
    • Example: “The team reluctantly relinquished possession of the ball.” (They gave it up deliberately.)

  • Giving up a position or authority:

    • Example: “The CEO relinquished his position due to health concerns.” (He stepped down.)
    • Example: “After serving for 20 years, the general relinquished his command.” (He gave up his role.)

  • Giving up control, power, or influence:

    • Example: “The rebels relinquished their weapons and agreed to negotiate.” (They gave up their tools of resistance.)
    • Example: “She relinquished her influence over the committee after receiving criticism.” (She stepped back from being a dominant force.)

  • Giving up something less tangible (like a habit or feeling): This is a slightly less common, but still valid, usage. It implies a hard-won release.

    • Example: “It took him a long time to relinquish his fear of public speaking.” (He had to consciously let go of his fear.)
    • Example: “She finally relinquished her need for constant reassurance.” (She stopped demanding it.)

3. Key Points & Synonyms:

  • Voluntary: “Relinquish” always implies a voluntary act. You're choosing to give something up.
  • Formal Tone: It’s a more formal word than “give up.” You’d typically use it in writing or in more serious conversations.
  • Synonyms: Consider these alternatives, depending on the nuance you want to convey:
    • Surrender
    • Abandon
    • Yield
    • Cede
    • Relent
    • Give up (less formal)

4. Example Sentence Combining:

  • Original: “The team lost the game.”
  • Using “relinquish” (more dramatic): “After a hard-fought battle, the team reluctantly relinquished the lead and lost the game.”

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me tailor my explanation even further, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about when you want to use "relinquish"? (e.g., writing a story, a formal presentation, a casual conversation?)

Synonyms for the word relinquish

Practice with vocabulary relinquish

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The veteran politician eventually decided to _________ his parliamentary seat, paving the way for a younger candidate.
  2. Despite strong pressure, the community vowed not to _________ their ancestral lands to the developers.
  3. The project manager chose to _________ his initial proposal after receiving critical feedback from the stakeholders.
  4. To ensure the success of the new initiative, the board decided to _________ additional resources and support.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following scenarios typically involves an act of relinquishing? a) A child tightly gripping a favorite toy. b) An individual formally giving up a claim to an inheritance. c) A company actively expanding its market share. d) A nation voluntarily surrendering control over a disputed territory. e) A researcher presenting new findings to support a long-held theory.

  2. If a business leader decides to relinquish some of their decision-making authority, what is the most likely outcome? a) They consolidate more power at the top. b) They delegate more tasks to their subordinates. c) They take on additional responsibilities. d) They formally hand over certain powers to another party. e) They attempt to regain lost control.

  3. In which sentence is the word "relinquish" used appropriately? a) He refused to relinquish his determination to succeed, despite numerous setbacks. b) It's hard to relinquish a firm belief without strong contradictory evidence. c) The board decided to relinquish the new company policy after an outcry from employees. d) She chose to relinquish the opportunity to travel abroad for her studies. e) The CEO had to relinquish his position due to mounting pressure from shareholders.

  4. Which word best describes the act of a country formally transferring territory to another by treaty? a) Occupy b) Annex c) Cede d) Retain e) Acquire

  5. When a person intentionally gives up a right or claim, often in a legal context, which of the following words is most precise? a) Assert b) Demand c) Waive d) Enforce e) Reserve

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The multinational corporation ultimately decided to give up its ownership of the failing division. Rewrite: The multinational corporation ultimately decided to _________ its ownership of the failing division.

  2. Original: After decades of service, the chief justice chose to step down from her esteemed judicial role. Rewrite: After decades of service, the chief justice chose to _________ her esteemed judicial role.

  3. Original: Due to a critical injury, the athlete was forced to give up his chance to compete in the championship. Rewrite: Due to a critical injury, the athlete was forced to _________ his chance to compete in the championship.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. relinquish
  2. relinquish
  3. abandon
  4. allocate

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) An individual formally giving up a claim to an inheritance d) A nation voluntarily surrendering control over a disputed territory
  2. b) They delegate more tasks to their subordinates. d) They formally hand over certain powers to another party.
  3. b) It's hard to relinquish a firm belief without strong contradictory evidence. e) The CEO had to relinquish his position due to mounting pressure from shareholders.
  4. c) Cede
  5. c) Waive

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The multinational corporation ultimately decided to relinquish its ownership of the failing division.
  2. After decades of service, the chief justice chose to relinquish her esteemed judicial role.
  3. Due to a critical injury, the athlete was forced to forfeit his chance to compete in the championship.

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