sur·ren·der
sə-ˈren-dər 
surrendered; surrendering
sə-ˈren-d(ə-)riŋ
1
a
: to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand
surrendered the fort
b
: to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another
2
a
: to give (oneself) up into the power of another especially as a prisoner
b
: to give (oneself) over to something (such as an influence)
: to give oneself up into the power of another : yield
1
a
: the action of yielding one's person or giving up the possession of something especially into the power of another
b
: the relinquishment by a patentee of rights or claims under a patent
c
: the delivery of a principal into lawful custody by bail
called also surrender by bail
d
: the voluntary cancellation of the legal liability of an insurance company by the insured and beneficiary for a consideration
e
: the delivery of a fugitive from justice by one government to another
2
: an instance of surrendering
Synonyms
Examples of surrender in a Sentence
Verb
The enemy finally surrendered after three days of fighting.
The gunman surrendered and was taken into custody.
The troops were forced to surrender the fort.
They were required to surrender their passports.
the surrendering of land to the government
He refused to surrender to despair.
He refused to surrender himself to despair.
Noun
Their surrender was formalized in a treaty.
They demanded an unconditional surrender.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2024
Either drop it off at your county's Election Office before polls close or surrender it at your polling place and vote in person.
—Linh Ta, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024
The militants carried out bombings, ransom kidnappings and beheadings during their heyday starting in the late 1990s, but they have been weakened considerably by battle defeats, surrenders and infighting.
—Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for surrender 
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Verb
Voters who attempt to do this will be offered the option of surrendering their ballot and voting in person instead.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2024
Either drop it off at your county's Election Office before polls close or surrender it at your polling place and vote in person.
—Linh Ta, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
According to Safe Haven Baby Boxes, the organization is the only one in the U.S. that provides an anonymous surrender option to parents of newborns.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024
The militants carried out bombings, ransom kidnappings and beheadings during their heyday starting in the late 1990s, but they have been weakened considerably by battle defeats, surrenders and infighting.
—Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for surrender
Dictionary Entries Near surrender
Cite this Entry
“Surrender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surrender. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
surrender
1 of 2 verb
sur·ren·der
sə-ˈren-dər
surrendered; surrendering
-d(ə-)riŋ
1
: to give over to the power, control, or possession of another especially by force
2
: to give oneself over to something
surrender
2 of 2 noun
: the giving of oneself or something into the power of another person or thing
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