这些单词均有放弃（权利或职位等）的含义。其中，abdicate 主要是指放弃某种法定职位，如君主正式放弃其王位等, 有时也指放弃某种特权（prerogative)[1]。renounce常与abdicate 互换使用，多指放弃某种权利、权利要求、资格或惯例（right, claim, title, practice),且有作出某种牺牲的含义[2]。resign多指正式通知辞去从上级或其他人处所获的某种职位或未满任期[3]。 cede指正式放弃权利，常用于法律上的转让及根据条约割让领土等[4]。relinquish最为通用，可表示自愿或非自愿的放弃[5], 如relinquish control over sth 或 relinquish a claim 等。surrender 多指被迫，或在感情或权势的影响下的放弃[6]。yield类同surrender, 但相比之下，其所受的压力或所受到的情感的影响小于后者[7]。
 
[1 ] "To refuse or renounce a thing, a person in office to renounce it or give it up voluntarily.” Cf. Daphne A. Dukelow, The Dictionary of Canadian Law, at p. 2, Thomson ProfessionalPublishing Canada (1991).
[2]“To give up or abandon formally (a right or interest) ； to disclaim. ” Cf. Bryan A. Gamer,Black's Law Dictionary, 7th edition, at p. 1299, West Group (1999).
[3] "To give up a possession, office or claim. ” Cf. Daphne A. Dukelow, The Dictionary of Canadian Law，at p. 922，Thomson Professional Publishing Canada (1991).
[4]“To yield or grant usu. by treaty. ” Cf. Linda Picard Wood, J. D. , Merriam Webster's Dictionary of Law, at p. 71 , Merriam-Webster，Incorporated, Springfield, Massachusetts (1996).
[5]" Relinquish is the most general and neutral term in the group. It can indicate no more than the release of one's grasp. It can denote the letting go from one's direction or possession ,usually voluntarily but sometimes reluctantly. " Cf. The Editors of the Reader's Digest, Use the Right Word, at p. 487, The Reader's Digest Association Proprietary Ltd. (1971).
[6]"Surrender means to give up under compulsion to any person, passion, influence or power. " Id. at p. 487.
[7]“Yield is close to surrender, but implies milder compulsion and therefore some softness, concession, respect or even affection on the part of the pereon who yields. ” Id. at p. 487.