give up

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verb

Definition of GIVE UP

1

to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress <was in so much debt he had to give up his house and move into a cheaper apartment>

Synonyms cede, cough up, deliver, give up, hand over, lay down, relinquish, render, turn in, turn over, yield

Related Words commit, consign, entrust (also intrust), transfer; forfeit, release, waive; abnegate, renounce, resign; abandon, desert, discard, forsake, part (with), shed

Near Antonyms keep, retain, withhold

2

to stop doing (something) permanently <I hope you won't give up playing the piano>

Synonyms abandon, discontinue, drop, give up, knock off, lay off (of), pack (up or in)

Related Words break off, break up, cease, close, conclude, end, expire, finish, halt, leave off, shut off; pause, taper off; throw up; round (off or out), terminate, wind up, wrap up

Near Antonyms go, run on; hang in, hang on, hold on, persevere, persist; follow through (with); renew, reopen, restart, resume; preserve, stay; begin, commence, start

Antonyms carry on, continue, keep, keep up, maintain

3

to yield to the control or power of enemy forces <with the prospect of a renewed enemy attack, the regiment decided to simply give up>

Synonyms capitulate, give up, knuckle under, submit, succumb, surrender

Related Words bow, buckle, cave (in), collapse, give (in); hand over, relinquish; lose; concede, fail, fold

Near Antonyms buck, defy, fight, oppose, repel, resist, withstand; beat, overcome, win; conquer, prevail, triumph

Antonyms endure, stand

4

to give (oneself) over to something especially unrestrainedly <even in the darkest days of her troubled marriage, she refused to give herself up to feelings of utter hopelessness>

Synonyms deliver, give up, indulge, surrender, yield

Related Words overdo, overindulge; bask, luxuriate, revel, roll, wallow

Near Antonyms abstain (from), eschew, forbear, forgo (also forego), refrain (from); check, inhibit, restrain

Antonyms deny