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 Looking for his first win in seven starts, Twins starter Taj Bradley gave up two hits and one run in five innings while striking out seven. — CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 The move comes after Díaz gave up nine runs and recorded three blown saves in a span of six appearances. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Harry and Meghan gave up their royal duties and moved to California more than six years ago to earn their living through lucrative contracts with Netflix and Spotify. — Danica Kirka, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 Nuñez gave up a home run to Mike Yastrzemski in the seventh, and Austin Riley followed with one of his own, ultimately dooming the Mets. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026 The Bears went from 25th in the league in rushing to third last season and gave up just 24 sacks after allowing a league-worst 68 the season before. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gave up

Verb

There have been small changes to the ownership structures of Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the last decade but without control ever being relinquished.

— Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
While Russia has relinquished some control of the area to China following its invasion of Ukraine, Russia still plays a key role in Chinese shipping vessels’ passage through the route.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of relinquished

Verb

With that said, Jonas Vingegaard’s crash at this year’s Tour shows how quickly races can change — while the two favorites at last year’s Giro d’Italia, Roglič and Juan Ayuso, both abandoned with injuries.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
In the present-day timeline, this reveal casts a large shadow over adult Shauna (Melanie Lynskey), who’s abandoned by husband Jeff (Warren Cole) and daughter Callie (Sarah Desjardins).

— Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of abandoned

Verb

In Salzburg, Dudamel indulged the Vienna Philharmonic’s incomparable lushness, those plush strings, glowing winds, golden brass, voluminous timpani.

— Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026
Night Seven indulged Bon Jovi’s love for sports, with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and tennis legend John McEnroe mingling backstage.

— Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2026

Definition of indulged

Verb

The suspect surrendered to officers in a home's driveway, and he was taken into custody.

— Julie Sharp, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Washington Capitals Despite barely even being a functional hockey team for the first decade or so of their existence, the Caps have only surrendered one three-point debut in their history, and that one came on opening night in 2000.

— Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of surrendered

Verb

The Stones somehow didn’t hit South America until 1995, a couple years after Wyman quit the band.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Bannerman centers on the eponymous Paul Bannerman, a lethal covert operative who convinces a group of the world’s most deadly assassins to quit the spy game for a chance to lead normal lives in the suburbs of Connecticut.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of quit

Verb

Rincker, a German immigrant, was known for casting the bell that hung from the first Cook County Courthouse, which was felled by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Frightened that she may be plagued by the same mental illness that felled her mom, Gemma stubbornly refuses to believe anything is wrong.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of fell

Verb

ChatGPT, however, rendered the scene using sterile, abstract terminology.

— Billy J. Stratton, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026
In a Texas hospital this week, doctors performed a complex, high-risk, open-heart surgery on a 6-day-old boy born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare congenital condition that rendered part of his heart underdeveloped.

— Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026