give up

Definition of give upnext
1
as in to relinquish
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 to surrender
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 give up Kennedy gave up her 14-year post earlier this year, handing over the reins to Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026 But Jaylen Warren should be able to get traction against a New Orleans run defense that’s giving up nearly 150 yards per game. — Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 And there are only two TDs to WRs given up by Carolina in their dime defensive package. — Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026 Muoi, who gave only one name for fear of reprisals by authorities, gave up fishing and now helps his wife in her shop. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for give up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for give up
Verb
  • Although dozens of islands were claimed through this process, the overwhelming bulk of these claims were relinquished in the late 20th century as the island countries of Oceania began to achieve independence.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • But the pro-Israel lobby is not relinquishing its political power, evidenced by its move to give more than $9 million to support Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate race.
    — Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Many hotels have abandoned single-use amenities, and the JW Marriott has followed that move by installing refillable shampoo and other containers.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Fallen trees blocked forest roads, snow forced them to abandon some attempts and return later, and on one climb, a navigation error sent them up the wrong side of the peak.
    — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Short enough to read in a single sitting, Sara Gran’s chilling story of an architect succumbing to demonic possession will leave readers stunned and unsettled.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 23 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
  • Adults aren’t always used to indulging this kind of curiosity.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Garza was shot twice with less-lethal bean bag rounds but did not surrender.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Compassion doesn’t mean that presidents or other public officials should bow to enemies or surrender common sense in tackling the world’s harsh realities.
    — Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Continue reading ⦠CIVIC BREAKDOWN â Town's entire police force quits after bitter feud with city leaders boils over.
    — , FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • After taking on their third client, Bordelon and Slocum quit their jobs to focus on The Brownstone Boys full-time.
    — Sophie Caldwell,Valentina Duarte, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Two of the targets yielded catches; one of those catches yielded Mayfield’s only touchdown.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The conflict and resolution are also heard in how the solo verses yield the group chorus — individual voices on display, and then, collective power.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • This collaborative work delivers a new chemical strategy for fabricating high-performance flexible perovskite modules in China.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Synthetic mRNA delivers the instructions on these specific targets, allowing the body to present them to immune cells.
    — Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Give up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/give%20up. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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