gave up

past tense of give up
1
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Safeties Dunnigan and Poyser gave up 11 catches on 12 attempts for 126 yards and three touchdowns. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026 The stock was last up about 3% higher as stock market futures gave up their gains. — Sean Conlon, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026 Huerta never gave up on her dream of a more equitable distribution of wealth in America, campaigning for working people for years beyond standard retirement age. — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026 The Tigers gave up 51 points in a loss at LSU and 41 points in a home loss to Miami, but defensive end Will Heldt has six sacks to lead a line that has created havoc. — Bob Ferrante, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026 Anaheim gave up the game-tying goal just eight seconds after killing Calgary’s 5-on-3 advantage — with the help of Dostal’s four saves — for two minutes of the second. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 Then their starter gave up some homers, and the bullpen failed. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 Just weeks before trial, Thompson made the decision opposed by some of the victims’ families to negotiate a plea deal with Kohberger rather than take the case to trial, which gave up the chance at the death penalty. — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 7 Oct. 2026 He was targeted 14 times and gave up 11 receptions Sunday night. — Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gave up
Verb
  • No other Dolphins defender relinquished more than 13 yards in completions on Sunday, according to PFF.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The singer wasn’t home at the time, but others there relinquished the monkey.
    — Alex Heigl, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The passenger voluntarily abandoned the claws at the checkpoint, the TSA said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
  • But big pharmaceutical companies have largely abandoned the quest for new antibiotics, because the research and development needed to discover them is time-consuming and expensive.
    — Zoë Schiffer, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Even those who have succumbed to cancer are able to be sent off like this, since toxic chemotherapy drugs are usually long gone from the body by the time of passing.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The city’s Medical Examiner ruled the victim’s death a homicide after determining Wong succumbed to stab wounds to his neck and torso.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • With some of his publishing money, Bernard indulged his love of vintage Japanese fashion and has a 2000s-era Tuscan house on his vision board.
    — Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • There was no mention of a funeral in Adrien’s letter, and for a moment, Adelaide indulged the thought of ordering a carriage for Moscow.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • According to Pro Football Focus, Caliendo surrendered five pressures, including a sack, in Suamataia’s place.
    — Pete Sweeney November 2, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
  • All four surrendered and were taken into custody, according to police.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Construction crews are continuing work on a major anti-flooding project in the West Avenue neighborhood of Miami Beach despite a lawsuit filed by the contractor, which wants to quit the project.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The puppeteering incenses Morgan, who storms into Cathcarts to demand his lawyers quit playing games and get on with litigation already.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Collins faces Democrat Troy Jackson, a former Maine Senate leader who stepped in to the race after scandals felled nominee Graham Platner in July.
    — Justin Papp,Caleigh Keating,Garrett Downs,Kevin Breuninger,Dan Mangan, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026
  • In the postwar decades, humans seized ecosystems at breakneck speed—forests were felled, prairies plowed, wetlands drained.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • With each impact, Sarah’s face disintegrates into a bloodier pulp, her bone structure buckling under every successive thud until Nikki has finally and irrevocably rendered the character a faceless corpse.
    — Chris Lee, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The umbrella was quickly rendered useless as the winds were blowing hard.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Gave up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gave%20up. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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