resignation

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "resignation" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is usually used when someone is leaving a job or position. You can also use it to describe giving up something. For example, you could say "After years of struggling, she finally chose to submit her resignation and move on to a new opportunity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With admiration and appreciation, David H Petraeus Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 6.15pm ET23:15 AP's first take on David Petraeus's resignation: David Petraeus has resigned as director of the CIA after admitting he had an extramarital affair.

The Guardian

According to his letter of resignation, Petraeus asked President Barack Obama on Thursday to allow him to resign, and on Friday the president accepted.

The Guardian

This afternoon, the president graciously accepted my resignation".

The New York Times

He stood for another six-year term in the number one position on the NSW Senate ticket, but announced his resignation a few weeks after the election.

The Guardian

Mr Mallon, 65, moved to quell speculation that he would be the natural successor to the Nobel prize-winning Mr Hume within 24 hours of the leader's resignation.

The Guardian

The highly partisan response to Sayeeda Warsi's damaging resignation from David Cameron's government revives an old political question: when is it right to resign on a point of policy or principle rather than to fight one's corner from inside?

The Guardian

Consistent with the education unions' recent calls for education secretary Michael Gove's resignation, negativity is highest among education leaders – nearly half say they oppose the government's agenda for their sector.

The Guardian

Related: Jim Murphy's resignation throws Scottish Labour into turmoil The 33-year-old said: "The geographical spread of support I have – with MSPs from north and south, east and west – as well as the backing of MSPs from different parts of our movement shows I can bring our party together.

The Guardian

Harper, who was steering an immigration bill through the Commons that warns employers of their duty to check the status of employees, notified David Cameron on Friday, when his resignation was accepted "with regret".

The Guardian

On the streets of Dublin the mood regarding the economy, the cuts and "Eurogeddon" seems to be a mixture of burning resentment tinged with resignation.

The Guardian

In the year since the resignation of Progressive Unionist party leader Dawn Purvis, it has become depressingly clear among acute observers of Belfast's loyalist communities that the loyalist paramilitary UVF has been purposefully ratcheting up tensions among its youthful foot soldiers to show some muscle.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "resignation", clearly state the position or role being vacated to avoid ambiguity. For example, "the CEO's resignation" is more precise than simply "the resignation".

Common error

Don't use "resignation" to describe situations that involve termination or firing. "Resignation" implies a voluntary departure, while termination suggests an involuntary one.

Linguistic Context

The word "resignation" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the act of resigning or a document formalizing this act. It can also describe a state of passive acceptance. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "resignation" is a common noun with multiple applications, denoting the act of leaving a position or a state of passive acceptance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business settings, "resignation" carries a neutral to formal tone. Related phrases include "stepping down", "departure", and "quitting one's job", each offering subtle nuances in meaning. When using the word "resignation", ensure clarity by specifying the position being vacated and avoid using it in cases of involuntary termination. Top sources like The Guardian and The New York Times frequently employ "resignation" in their reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tendering one's resignation

A more formal way of expressing the act of submitting a resignation.

stepping down

Implies a voluntary act of leaving a position, often with a sense of dignity or planned departure.

submitting notice

Focuses on the formal act of informing an employer of one's intention to leave.

quitting one's job

A more informal and direct way to say leaving employment.

departure

A general term for leaving, which can apply to various contexts beyond just employment.

abandonment

Suggests leaving something behind, sometimes with negative connotations of neglect or desertion.

acceptance

Refers to the act of acknowledging and resigning oneself to a situation, often negative.

acquiescence

Implies reluctantly accepting something without protest.

yielding

Suggests giving way to pressure or circumstances.

capitulation

Implies surrendering or giving up after resistance.

FAQs

How to use "resignation" in a sentence?

You can use "resignation" to describe the act of leaving a job or position, such as "The director's "resignation" came as a surprise to many". It can also refer to a feeling of giving up, as in, "He accepted the outcome with "resignation"".

What can I say instead of "resignation"?

Alternatives include "stepping down" if someone leaves a position voluntarily, "departure" as a general term for leaving, or "quitting" for a more informal context.

Which is correct, "resignation" or "termination"?

"Resignation" implies a voluntary departure from a position, while "termination" means the employment was ended by the employer. The correct term depends on who initiated the end of employment.

What's the difference between "resignation" and "retirement"?

"Resignation" is a general term for leaving a job or position. "Retirement" specifically refers to leaving employment, typically after reaching a certain age or meeting specific requirements for pension or benefits.