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

Proponents argue that Congress never had the power to cede back the land and that the local referendum failed to meet the voting requirements outlined by Congress for retrocession. —Jesse Bedayn, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026

The image confronts the reality of buildings that had been set ablaze by Confederate forces in retreat, who preferred to destroy their own capital rather than cede it to the Union. —Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026

At the institute, McMahon ceded policy to others. —Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026

After ceding 31 second-quarter points, the Knicks held the Hawks to just 19 in the third. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026