Synonyms of cede

cede

verb

ˈsēd 

1

as in to relinquish

to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress

she reluctantly ceded her position as leader

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relinquish
• surrender
• render
• deliver
• yield
• abandon
• transfer
• turn in
• resign
• give up
• lay down
• turn over
• cough up
• waive
• hand over
• entrust
• commit
• forfeit
• renounce
• discard
• release
• consign
• forsake
• shed
• desert
• abnegate
• part (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• retain
• keep
• withhold

2

as in to assign

to give over the legal possession or ownership of

Spain ceded Puerto Rico to the United States as part of the settlement of the Spanish-American War

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relinquish
• assign
• transfer
• convey
• bequeath
• lend
• donate
• dispose of
• alienate
• leave
• alien
• deed
• grant
• entrust
• rent
• will
• lease
• move
• pass (down)
• contribute
• make over
• transmit
• surrender
• confer
• pass
• present
• bestow
• loan
• commit
• commend
• yield
• deliver
• turn in
• trust
• vest
• turn over
• hand down
• release
• let
• consign
• hand over

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expropriate

3

as in to abdicate

to give up (as a position of authority) formally

the President officially cedes his position on the January 20th immediately following the presidential election

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relinquish
• abdicate
• resign
• renounce
• surrender
• deny
• waive
• vacate
• abnegate
• step down (from)
• abandon
• disavow
• disclaim
• disown
• forsake
• abjure
• step aside (from)
• yield
• demit
• give up
• hand over
• desert
• quit

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assume
• claim
• appropriate
• seize
• protect
• confiscate
• take over
• arrogate
• defend
• usurp
• secure
• safeguard
• guard
• wrest

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cede

That war of wills ended with the Emirates ceding control of Bab el-Mandeb — along with the nearby island of Perim, where the Emirates had built a drone airbase — to Saudi Arabia. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026

The reality, however, appears to be that Isaacman does not want to cede any more time in this race and is thus pushing for as many cargo and crew missions as possible to the Moon as soon as possible. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026

The chain of more than 60 islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean off the tip of India, south of the Maldives, has been under British control since 1814, when they were ceded by France. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

For founder-CEOs, ceding authority can be especially challenging. — Adi Ignatius, Harvard Business Review, 18 Sep. 2026