GAVE GROUND Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

gave ground

phrase

past tense of give ground

as in withdrew

to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable) There is wildlife in the area, so give ground if you see any when hiking.

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for gave ground

Phrase

In the years leading up to the 2015 homicide spike, the prescription opioid crisis gave way to the illicit opioid crisis.

— James Tuttle, The Conversation, 9 July 2026
As morning rain gave way to a humid afternoon in Jammu, India, the city’s historic train station came to life with the familiar bustle of a South Asian transit hub.

— Aakash Hassan, Christian Science Monitor, 8 July 2026

Definition of gave way

Phrase

Kotagal highlighted a 2024 report on the tech sector that showed that women had made virtually no gains between 2014 and 2022, and that workers under 40 years old had actually lost ground.

— Alexandra Olson, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
In the first six months of 2026, Russia’s military has struggled to advance and in reality has lost ground in certain sections of the frontlines.

— Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026

Definition of lost ground

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.

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gave birth to

gave ground

gave in

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“Gave ground.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gave%20ground. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of gave ground

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