What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ceded
Example
The country ceded the disputed land to its neighboring nation. [ceded: past tense]
Example
The company ceded control of its operations to a new management team. [ceded: verb]
relinquish
Example
He decided to relinquish his position as CEO and retire. [relinquish: verb]
Example
The government was forced to relinquish its control over the disputed region. [relinquish: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Relinquish is more commonly used than ceded in everyday language. Relinquish is a versatile word that can be used in different contexts, while ceded is more specific and commonly used in legal or official contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ceded and relinquish?
While ceded is often associated with legal or official contexts, relinquish can be used in both formal and informal situations. It is a more flexible word that can be employed in a wider range of formality levels.