What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abandon
Example
The sailors had to abandon the sinking ship. [abandon: verb]
Example
She felt like abandoning her dreams after facing so many obstacles. [abandoning: gerund or present participle]
relinquish
Example
He had to relinquish his position as CEO due to health issues. [relinquish: verb]
Example
The company decided to relinquish its hold on the patent. [relinquishing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Abandon is more commonly used than relinquish in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts. Relinquish is more formal and often used in legal or official contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abandon and relinquish?
Relinquish is more formal than abandon and is often used in legal or official contexts. Abandon is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
