surrender

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surrender" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is giving up or yielding control, often in a conflict or competitive situation. Example: "After a long battle, the opposing forces decided to surrender and negotiate peace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No surrender".

The New York Times

"We let the American people know we have not waved the white flag of surrender," she said.

The Guardian

But never before in England had Whitehall been asked to surrender so much control over a local public sector, not even in London.

The Guardian

In response Gleeson gave an undertaking to the court not to engage in "any actions involving the surrender or delivery to custody of the Sri Lankan military or its delegates" without 72 hours' written notice.

The Guardian

"If you've got a fixed-term tenancy and you want to leave before it ends, the landlord can insist that you keep paying rent for the full length of the tenancy," says Khan. "If you have a joint fixed-term tenancy it can't be ended early unless all the housemates and the landlord agree, which is known as a surrender, or if there is a break clause in the tenancy agreement.

The Guardian

While there may be no surrender, Bachmann at times was clearly losing in the battle to be heard against hundreds of supporters of the healthcare reform law who chanted "We love 'Obamacare'" and "Health care not war".

The Guardian

"They're about to wave the white flag of surrender on Obamacare.

The Guardian

"You've got Republicans in Washington about to wave the white flag of surrender on amnesty," said Jindal.

The Guardian

Political elites look increasingly interchangeable: Blair, Brown, and Cameron have all tried to provide cover for the surrender of sovereignty to foreign investors with invocations of "British" values, and, more opportunistically, anti-immigrant rhetoric.

The Guardian - Opinion

And the president elected by the people doesn't surrender".

The Guardian

Those who did not surrender as "prisoners of war", Macquarie ordered, should be killed and the males hung up on trees as an example to others.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surrender" when you want to convey a formal or decisive act of giving up, especially in contexts of conflict, negotiation, or legal proceedings.

Common error

Avoid using "surrender" in casual conversations where simpler terms like "give up" or "quit" would be more appropriate. "Surrender" can sound overly dramatic or formal in everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The word "surrender" functions primarily as a noun or a verb. As a noun, it denotes the act of yielding or giving up control. As a verb, it describes the action of surrendering oneself or something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Travel

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "surrender" is a versatile term with both noun and verb forms, primarily used to describe the act of yielding control or giving up resistance. As Ludwig AI indicates, "surrender" is correct and usable in written English. Its register leans towards neutral to formal, commonly appearing in news, media, and business contexts, as demonstrated by the many examples from authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times. While related phrases such as "give up" or "capitulate" offer alternatives, "surrender" maintains a distinct connotation of formal relinquishment, especially in high-stakes or conflict-driven scenarios. When writing, consider whether the formality and decisiveness of "surrender" align with your intended message and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give up

A more common and general term for ceasing resistance or effort.

capitulate

Implies formal agreement to surrender, especially in military contexts.

yield

Suggests a reluctant giving way to pressure or force.

submit

Emphasizes acceptance of authority or control.

relinquish

Focuses on formally giving up a claim, right, or possession.

cede

To formally give up possession of something such as land or territory.

hand over

A phrasal verb indicating the act of giving something to someone else.

wave the white flag

An idiomatic expression signifying defeat and willingness to negotiate.

cry uncle

An informal phrase indicating a desire to stop resisting or struggling.

throw in the towel

An idiomatic phrase indicating abandonment of a contest or endeavor.

FAQs

How to use "surrender" in a sentence?

You can use "surrender" as a verb meaning to give up to an enemy or opponent, or as a noun meaning the act of surrendering. For example: "They demanded the city's surrender", or "The troops decided to surrender".

What can I say instead of "surrender"?

You can use alternatives like "give up", "capitulate", or "yield" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "surrender"?

"Surrender" is appropriate in contexts involving formal conflicts, legal proceedings, or situations where someone is giving up control or possession. It implies a more decisive and often unwilling act than simply "giving up".

What's the difference between "surrender" and "give up"?

"Surrender" often implies a more formal or significant act of yielding, particularly in situations of conflict or competition. "Give up" is a more general term that can apply to a wider range of situations, from abandoning a task to "relinquishing a hope".