What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
relinquish
Example
He decided to relinquish his position as CEO. [relinquish: verb]
Example
The company will relinquish its hold on the property. [relinquish: verb]
abandon
Example
The soldiers had to abandon their mission due to bad weather. [abandon: verb]
Example
She abandoned her dreams of becoming an artist. [abandoned: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Abandon is more commonly used than relinquish in everyday language. Abandon is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while relinquish is less common and is often used in formal or professional contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between relinquish and abandon?
Relinquish is typically associated with a formal and professional tone, while abandon is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
