1
as in relinquishing
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress
she reluctantly ceded her position as leader
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in transferring
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in abdicating
to give up (as a position of authority) formally
the President officially cedes his position on the January 20th immediately following the presidential election
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Recent Examples of ceding
When the Spanish settlers decamped for Cuba in 1763 after ceding Florida to the English, the few surviving Tequesta, their numbers decimated by 200 years of captivity and slavery, conflict and ill treatment, are believed to have departed with them.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
As Jimmy is looking for options to simultaneously cut costs and jettison the property entirely, Sydney is trying to figure out how to do a dinner service with a pantry that’s nearly empty and a former mentor/partner/colleague, in Carmy, who is very bad at actually ceding control.
—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
25 June 2026
Eight years ago, from the same spot, Brooks Koepka elected to chip across the green into a front bunker, essentially ceding a bogey instead of risking a double, triple or worse.
—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
20 June 2026
Our research found growing concern that organizations are ceding entry-level work to AI systems while reducing opportunities for junior talent to build critical thinking, judgment and interpersonal skills over time.
—
Jennie Glazer,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
That raises further questions for some in Washington about whether industry competitors will ever wind up ceding equity to the administration.
—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
17 June 2026
Even some on the council who sided with Lee have expressed wariness about ceding much of their own power to the mayor.
—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
Carmine ultimately drops out of the race, ceding to Johnny Sac, but remains a key figure and even plays intermediary for New York and Jersey on multiple occasions.
—
Austin Perry Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
But are Democrats in some ways ceding a moral high ground?
—
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
As Jimmy is looking for options to simultaneously cut costs and jettison the property entirely, Sydney is trying to figure out how to do a dinner service with a pantry that’s nearly empty and a former mentor/partner/colleague, in Carmy, who is very bad at actually ceding control.
—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
25 June 2026
Eight years ago, from the same spot, Brooks Koepka elected to chip across the green into a front bunker, essentially ceding a bogey instead of risking a double, triple or worse.
—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
20 June 2026
Our research found growing concern that organizations are ceding entry-level work to AI systems while reducing opportunities for junior talent to build critical thinking, judgment and interpersonal skills over time.
—
Jennie Glazer,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
That raises further questions for some in Washington about whether industry competitors will ever wind up ceding equity to the administration.
—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
17 June 2026
Even some on the council who sided with Lee have expressed wariness about ceding much of their own power to the mayor.
—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
Carmine ultimately drops out of the race, ceding to Johnny Sac, but remains a key figure and even plays intermediary for New York and Jersey on multiple occasions.
—
Austin Perry Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
But are Democrats in some ways ceding a moral high ground?
—
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ceding
Verb
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But for Iran, reopening the strait does not mean relinquishing control of it.
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Furthermore, leaders like George Washington achieved greatness not by hoarding power, but by relinquishing it.
Verb
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When in a group, space out to prevent the current from transferring between individuals.
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Conwell, 22, began his college career at South Florida before transferring to Indiana State for his sophomore season and Xavier for his junior season, and then closing his college career at Louisville.
Verb
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They’d be upset about Article One of the Constitution, the legislative branch abdicating its powers; that is, the people’s power to wage war and to levy tariffs.
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Dinello was right, and The Late Show eventually became late night’s ratings leader—a throne that CBS is now voluntarily abdicating.
Verb
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After that victory, Makhachev moved up to welterweight, surrendering his 155-pound title.
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Freeland also pitched out of trouble in the fifth after surrendering back-to-back one-out singles.
Verb
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Employers should consider assigning a dedicated benefits navigator, someone who won't give legal or financial advice but will help the employee find relevant benefits, understand deadlines and know which professionals to call.
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Target's new attendance point system Target will start tracking unexcused tardiness and absences for its store and warehouse workers in September, assigning point values to violations and terminating any employee who hits 12 points within a year.
Verb
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Six months after resigning, Phillips has yet to turn over any records.
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Misan Harriman, chair of London’s Southbank Centre, is resigning following accusations of sharing antisemitic posts.
Verb
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This lack of competition has stunted the organizational capacity of both the Democratic and Republican Parties, rendering them hollow and unable to cultivate, train, or support a pipeline of young candidates.
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Officers found a victim suffering from a gunshot wound and immediately began rendering aid.
Verb
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William inherited the piece after her death in 1997, eventually bequeathing it to his wife.
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The Cubs bequeathing the dubious distinction of the sport’s longest title drought to Cleveland.
Cite this Entry
“Ceding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ceding. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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