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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 The 29-year-old left-hander gave up two runs in five innings with seven strikeouts and two walks. ABC News, 30 July 2026 Astros right-hander Peter Lambert gave up two runs and seven hits in five innings, striking out six and walking one. Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 Schweikert gave up his bid for reelection in order to pursue the governor’s race and lost to Biggs on Tuesday. Rebecca Schneid, Time, 22 July 2026 That’s a lot of anger toward someone who just gave up their entire summer for your entertainment. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 July 2026 The Packers then blew a 21-3 halftime lead in the Wild Card round against Chicago, gave up 25 fourth quarter points and eventually suffered a shocking 31-27 loss to the arch-rival Bears. Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 On the other side, Giants ace Logan Webb, a Rocklin native, gave up five first-inning runs to put the team in an early hole, which the Blue Jays built on by scoring another five over the last two innings off two San Francisco relievers. Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026 Even if Boeing gave up some of the Atlas Vs under its contractual control, ULA would not be able to easily retrofit any of the leftover Atlas Vs for other missions. Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 7 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gave up
Verb
  • The sculptures were among 34 Southeast Asian antiquities voluntarily relinquished by the collector in 2021 after investigators determined they had been looted.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • With the game tied at 60 entering the fourth quarter, Phoenix scored consecutive baskets and never relinquished its advantage.
    Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • Officers said the driver abandoned his car in Los Alamitos and fled on foot.
    Seamus Bozeman Follow, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
  • Security officials said the truck was later found abandoned and set on fire about 21 kilometers (13 miles) away from the scene.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • Many of his contemporaries—including Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones’ Brian Jones, Janis Joplin and The Doors’ Jim Morrison—succumbed to drug overdoses or suicide in their 20s.
    Kyle Eustice, VIBE.com, 23 July 2026
  • Then England took the lead and, within sight of the final, succumbed to doubt.
    Sam Knight, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Verb
  • Within the home, the dogs were indulged to an unusual degree, holding status as nearly full members of the family.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
  • Portugal, as our crew wrote, indulged Ronaldo and paid the price.
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 7 July 2026
Verb
  • While Heim and Butler performed well, the rest of the A’s struggled mightily against Red Sox starter Patrick Sandoval, who fanned seven in five innings, and a stellar Boston bullpen effort that surrendered no runs in five innings.
    Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
  • Despite three consecutive three-up, three-down innings to start the game, Jared Jones (2-2) surrendered all three runs and struck out five in six innings for the Pirates.
    ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
Verb
  • Thirdly, America has an opportunity of abundance for anyone with the tenacity not to quit.
    Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 27 July 2026
  • Platner denies the allegation, but quit the race after key supporters called on him to withdraw.
    ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Verb
  • But the traps that felled Starmer lurk in most issues Burnham must tackle.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • Spain came into the game unbeaten in 36 games and took the lead from the penalty spot when Lucas Digne swung a leg without looking and felled Lamine Yamal.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Verb
  • In her role as well as elsewhere, Kalle downplays the explicit homophobia that might have rendered this a more simplistic allegory, making Asla less a figure of interfering jealousy than a woman who simply doesn’t want to be abandoned yet again.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026
  • The tall block heels were rendered in translucent amber and black with a horn-like mottled finish, introducing a second clear element without turning the design into a fully transparent shoe.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 26 July 2026

Cite this Entry

“Gave up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gave%20up. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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