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
Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 10 Apr. 2024
The Panthers have surrendered just 32 goals when Reinhart is on the ice at five-on-five.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2024
Related Articles Video shows girl who died in 2022 California shootout was struck by deputy gunfire, appeared to be surrendering
Frankel’s attorneys say police sought a new charge of domestic violence for allegedly pushing his fiancée onto a bed.
—Cameron MacDonald, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024
The Royals bullpen surrendered five late runs as Lugo earned a no-decision.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
Rangers starting pitcher Dane Dunning (1-0) was sharp throughout most of his season debut, allowing one hit over six innings before surrendering two home runs in the seventh.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2024
After the sheriff's office asked for the public's help finding Sutton, his lawyer, who wasn't identified, came forward March 25 to say Sutton would surrender, according to multiple statements from the agency.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 1 Apr. 2024
Cameron Sutton has surrendered to authorities weeks after being issued a domestic violence arrest warrant.
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024
Quiros and Stenger settled civil charges with the SEC, with Quiros surrendering more than $80 million in assets, including the two resorts.
—Lisa Rathke, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
For younger artists, hip-hop remains an art form about the messy struggle for survival—but Cole’s surrender suggests an approach with less fire, less rudeness, less competitive excellence.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024
The video showed Ellis with his hands up in a surrender position as Burbank shot a Taser at his chest and Collins wrapped an arm around his neck from behind.
—CBS News, 4 Apr. 2024
Victory would require either removing Hamas entirely from Gaza or forcing the organization’s surrender.
—Dominic Tierney, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2024
As the Kolkata sought the surrender of the pirates, the commandos parachuted in after a 10-hour flight from India, the air force said on X. Rafts were also dropped into the ocean from the large transport for marines to reach the Ruen.
—Brad Lendon, CNN, 19 Mar. 2024
The boy’s surrender, though foolhardy, is an act of rebellion, of taking reckless chances and throwing caution to the wind.
—Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
The group will earn £192.5 million ($244 million) by selling half its stake in the office space in addition to Meta’s surrender fee.
—Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 19 Mar. 2024
The moment Hamas releases the hostages and surrenders, is the moment this heartbreaking war ends.
—Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2024
Verb
Jones surrendered to police four days after the shooting.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 10 Apr. 2024
The Panthers have surrendered just 32 goals when Reinhart is on the ice at five-on-five.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2024
Related Articles Video shows girl who died in 2022 California shootout was struck by deputy gunfire, appeared to be surrendering
Frankel’s attorneys say police sought a new charge of domestic violence for allegedly pushing his fiancée onto a bed.
—Cameron MacDonald, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024
The Royals bullpen surrendered five late runs as Lugo earned a no-decision.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
Rangers starting pitcher Dane Dunning (1-0) was sharp throughout most of his season debut, allowing one hit over six innings before surrendering two home runs in the seventh.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2024
After the sheriff's office asked for the public's help finding Sutton, his lawyer, who wasn't identified, came forward March 25 to say Sutton would surrender, according to multiple statements from the agency.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 1 Apr. 2024
Cameron Sutton has surrendered to authorities weeks after being issued a domestic violence arrest warrant.
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024
Quiros and Stenger settled civil charges with the SEC, with Quiros surrendering more than $80 million in assets, including the two resorts.
—Lisa Rathke, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
Noun
Simpson and Cowlings arrive at Simpson’s Brentwood home, and negotiations for surrender begin.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
For younger artists, hip-hop remains an art form about the messy struggle for survival—but Cole’s surrender suggests an approach with less fire, less rudeness, less competitive excellence.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024
The video showed Ellis with his hands up in a surrender position as Burbank shot a Taser at his chest and Collins wrapped an arm around his neck from behind.
—CBS News, 4 Apr. 2024
Victory would require either removing Hamas entirely from Gaza or forcing the organization’s surrender.
—Dominic Tierney, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2024
As the Kolkata sought the surrender of the pirates, the commandos parachuted in after a 10-hour flight from India, the air force said on X. Rafts were also dropped into the ocean from the large transport for marines to reach the Ruen.
—Brad Lendon, CNN, 19 Mar. 2024
The boy’s surrender, though foolhardy, is an act of rebellion, of taking reckless chances and throwing caution to the wind.
—Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
The group will earn £192.5 million ($244 million) by selling half its stake in the office space in addition to Meta’s surrender fee.
—Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 19 Mar. 2024
The moment Hamas releases the hostages and surrenders, is the moment this heartbreaking war ends.
—Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'surrender.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English surrendren, from surrendre, noun
Noun
Middle English surrendre, from Anglo-French, from surrendre, susrendre to relinquish, from sur- & sus-, suz under + rendre to give back — more at render, sous-chef
First Known Use
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of surrender was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing surrender
Dictionary Entries Near surrender
Cite this Entry
“Surrender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surrender. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
Legal Definition
surrender
1 of 2 transitive verb
sur·ren·der
1
a
: to yield to the control or possession of another
surrender the leased premises
surrender collateral to a creditor
b
: to give up completely or agree to forgo
c
: to cancel (one's insurance policy) voluntarily
2
: to give over to the custody of the law
surrender a defendant
: to give oneself up
surrender
2 of 2 noun
: an act or instance of surrendering
discharge an obligor by surrender of a promissory note
especially
: the yielding of an estate by a tenant to the landlord so that the leasehold interest is extinguished by mutual agreement
More from Merriam-Webster on surrender
Nglish: Translation of surrender for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of surrender for Arabic Speakers
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