GAVE UP Synonyms: 128 Similar and Opposite Words

gave up

verb

past tense of give up

as in relinquished

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

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as in abandoned

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

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as in succumbed

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

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as in indulged

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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of gave up Connor Hellebuyck was also back between the pipes and Jake Oettinger was his backup while Jeremy Swayman, who gave up a couple of shaky goals in the win over Denmark on Saturday, was the odd man out. —

Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026 In the Super Bowl, the Seahawks gave up a 75-yard touchdown run to Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker to fall behind 14-3 early in the third quarter. —

Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026 Campbell gave up two of the sacks on Maye. —

Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 Feb. 2026 The Jets aren’t the only team that gave up on Darnold. —

Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026 Detroit took back-to-back penalties, but Ottawa failed to capitalize and gave up a short-handed goal on a Giroux giveaway that led to a 2-on-1 with Rasmussen beating Hunter Shepard, who gave up two goals on 12 shots. —

CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026 In the last three games that Eberflus called the defensive signals, the Cowboys gave up 34, 23 and 34 points to close the season. —

Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026 Only the 2023 Broncos and 2015 Texans gave up that many in a game since then, both against the Dolphins. —

Mike Sando, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025 In six-plus innings, the Japanese pitcher gave up four runs on six hits while striking out six batters and walking one. —

Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gave up

Verb

For our judges, the Vanquish was a frontrunner from the first session and never relinquished its lead.

— Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2026
The suspect then voluntarily relinquished a second abalone, also from her pants, according to California DFW.

— Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2026