1
as in collapsing
to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure
the wall caved in when a tree fell on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in succumbing
to give up and cease resistance (as to a liking, temptation, or habit)
I caved in to my bibliomania and bought two more books last week
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caving (in)
Verb
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The soil is collapsing, leaving something resembling large puddles among the freshwater marshes.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026 -
At the same time, a currency collapsing under international sanctions, water shortages and recurring power outages have sharpened a sense of crisis across the country.—
Roxana Saberi,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The man was pronounced dead at the hospital after succumbing to his injuries, according to police.—
Kelsey Brown,
San Antonio Express-News,
4 Jan. 2026
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After temporarily succumbing to one of his deeply seductive illusions, the Big Other urges him to stop dreaming.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The parks headlining attraction, going out with a fizzle… Very unfortunate end to an iconic ride.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
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Heritage added to its lead on its next possession when Weaver found receiver Lucas Sunwall deep for a 30-yard pass, tiptoeing the sideline before going out at the 1-yard line.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For anyone still soaking up the flavors of fresh peaches before giving in to pumpkin spice, check your produce drawer.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
3 Nov. 2025
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Amid all this, censors were sitting on Panahi’s script, only giving in after reformist newspapers took up his cause.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Then creators are meant to add three to six different toppings (all of which have to already be available on Burger King’s menu) before submitting their innovation.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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If a multihousing complex or office space wants to be built in Oak Lawn, developers try to garner support from the Oak Lawn Committee before submitting zoning or project plans to the city for approval.—
Timia Cobb
Breaking News Reporter,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But the actor didn't think the story of his character on all five of the Netflix series' seasons, Will Byers, and Will's longtime friend, Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), had been fully wrapped up going into the final episode.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
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Young was remarkably efficient, throwing three TD passes of 30-plus yards and going 15-for-20 for 206 yards.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The sixth inning also featured a frightening moment when Cleveland’s David Fry, squaring around to bunt, took a 99 mph fastball from Skubal off his face, crumpling to the dirt as Skubal reacted with distress.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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Singh’s truck blocked both lanes of the northbound Turnpike, leading the Chrysler Town & Country minivan the three friends were riding in to slam into the semi’s 18-wheeler trailer, crumpling underneath it.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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His true self comes tumbling out in between every lie, and that’s because Macfadyen makes sure of it.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
6 Nov. 2025
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Each match consists of three rounds of competition, with rounds one and two featuring cheerleading skills including stunts, basket tosses, and tumbling in head-to-head, bracket-style rounds.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
3 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Caving (in).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caving%20%28in%29. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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