gave up

past tense of give up
1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Last year, the Panthers gave up the most rushing yards in a season since 1980. Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025 But the Cowboys’ defense is still a problem — even their new-look run defense, which gave up 158 yards. Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025 The Broncos lost three fumbles, committed eight penalties, gave up a TD on a fake punt, got burned by big plays and had eight straight drives end without any points. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 29 Aug. 2025 Starter Adam Mazur gave up two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two over four innings. Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025 Against Shohei Ohtani back in 2024, Brujan gave up Ohtani’s third home run in a 6-for-6, 10 RBI game. Howard Megdal, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025 But the Red Sox answered against reliever Camilo Doval, who gave up an infield single to Hamilton, then balked him over to second base. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 2025 Clifford gave up baseball after her freshman year. Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025 At that point, Karadell gave up and opted to get less intensive rehab closer to home — an option that his care team had been considering as a backup and had already been authorized. Jason Kane, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gave up
Verb
  • In May 2025, Kraft Heinz announced a strategic review aimed at unlocking shareholder value, and Berkshire Hathaway relinquished its board seats, signaling potential structural changes.
    Joe Cornell, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Shortly after Rose took the helm at the pageant, both Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava relinquished their titles.
    Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Tropicana abandoned the glass of orange juice just six weeks after rolling it out and brought back the old orange-with-a-straw.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The revision of Merriam’s unabridged masterpiece was abandoned.
    Stefan Fatsis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • An area of stormy weather the hurricane center tracked for development between Africa and the Caribbean last week succumbed to this hostile factor.
    Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The Kennedale Fire Department attempted lifesaving measures, but the man succumbed to his injuries, authorities said in a news release.
    Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • At one point Wednesday, the judge indulged their request to meet with Adelson and the attorneys at a side bar out of the public’s earshot.
    Lauren del Valle, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
  • There’s humor in the script’s observation of the absurd degree to which celebrities are indulged, like the slice of cheesecake that keeps turning up because Jay once requested it and thereafter it was written into his rider.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Mainland China opened higher but surrendered gains as technology hardware, semiconductors, electrical equipment, and telecom stocks lagged.
    Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • McCullough to bring in reliever Seth Martinez, who surrendered an RBI single to Riley Adams.
    Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Faring even worse is Clara, thinly rendered as an ungrateful child and an obstacle for her mother.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2025
  • When workers are used as invisible inputs in opaque AI systems that determine hiring, promotions and surveillance protocols, their autonomy can be eroded—and traditional labor rights rendered toothless.
    James Felton Keith, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Then the key to Finnish success in reducing homelessness is the housing-first model, where the logic is that you're not required to quit using alcohol or narcotics.
    Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Growing economic uncertainty has kept workers from quitting their jobs and has led businesses to slow down hiring decisions, experts say.
    Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Cal Fire’s newest proposal for Jackson, dubbed AMEX, targets nearly 500 acres with a patchwork of small clearcuts and is silent on tree sizes to be felled.
    John P. O’Brien, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Footage from the 1966 Italian documentary Africa Addio, of a herd of elephants being felled by both ground hunters and sharpshooters in helicopters, is distressing to watch.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Gave up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gave%20up. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!