What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abdicate
Example
The king was forced to abdicate the throne due to political pressure. [abdicate: verb]
Example
The CEO decided to abdicate his responsibilities and retire early. [abdicate: verb]
relinquish
Example
The company had to relinquish its hold on the market due to increased competition. [relinquish: verb]
Example
She decided to relinquish her ownership of the property to her sister. [relinquish: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Relinquish is more commonly used than abdicate in everyday language. Relinquish is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while abdicate is less common and refers to a specific context of giving up a position of power or authority.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abdicate and relinquish?
Abdicate is more formal than relinquish and is typically used in legal or political contexts. Relinquish is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
