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

Fields went to weed, and livestock wandered untended; the familiar rhythms of rural life gave way to an eerie void.

— JP Mangalindan, Time, 11 Sep. 2026
That gave way to sadness and the responsibility of consoling distraught students.

— USA TODAY staff, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of gave way

Phrase

With the loss, the Orioles lost ground in the chase for the final AL wild-card spot.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
The site lost ground to competitors over the following decade, and its ownership transferred to Verizon after that company’s 2015 purchase of AOL.

— Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 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 14 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of gave ground

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