verb

surrender

to surrender, to give up, to yield

The army refused to surrender.

The army refused to surrender.

He surrendered his passport to the authorities.

He surrendered his passport to the authorities.

She surrendered to her feelings of exhaustion.

She surrendered to her feelings of exhaustion.

((to sb./sth.)) to stop fighting and admit defeat The army refused to surrender to the enemy.

((sth.)) ((to sb.)) to give (sth.) to someone in authority He surrendered his passport to the authorities.

((to sth.)) to allow a feeling or influence to control you She surrendered to her feelings of exhaustion.

Synonyms: yield, capitulate, give up; Antonyms: resist, fight

From Old French 'surrendre', from 'sur-' (over) + 'rendre' (to give back). Literally 'to give over'.

Imagine putting your hands 'over' ('sur-') your head to 'render' or give yourself up. It's the classic image of giving in.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.