Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

give up

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of give up

1 to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress
  • He was in so much debt he had to give up his house and move into a cheaper apartment.
Synonyms of give up

cede, cough up, deliver, hand over, lay down, relinquish, render, surrender, turn in, turn over, yield
Words Related to give up

commit, consign, entrust (also intrust), transfer

forfeit, release, waive

abnegate, renounce, resign

abandon, desert, discard, forsake, part (with), shed
Near Antonyms of give up

keep, retain, withhold
2 to stop doing (something) permanently
  • I hope you won't give up playing the piano.
Synonyms of give up

abandon, discontinue, drop, knock off, lay off (of), pack (up or in), quit
Words Related to give up

break off, break up, cease, close, conclude, end, expire, finish, halt, leave off, shut off

pause, taper off

throw up

round (off or out), terminate, wind up, wrap up
Phrases Synonymous with give up

hang it up, have done (with)
Near Antonyms of give up

go, run on

hang in, hang on, hold on, persevere, persist

follow through (with)

renew, reopen, restart, resume

preserve, stay

begin, commence, start
Antonyms of give up

carry on, continue, keep, keep up, maintain
3 to yield to the control or power of enemy forces
  • With the prospect of a renewed enemy attack, the regiment reluctantly decided to give up.
Synonyms of give up

capitulate, fall, knuckle under, submit, succumb, surrender
Words Related to give up

bow, buckle, cave (in), collapse, give (in)

hand over, relinquish

lose

concede, fail, fold
Near Antonyms of give up

buck, defy, fight, oppose, repel, resist, withstand

beat, overcome, win

conquer, prevail, triumph
Antonyms of give up

endure, stand
4 to give (oneself) over to something especially unrestrainedly
  • She gave herself up completely to her work.
Synonyms of give up

abandon, deliver, indulge, surrender, yield
Words Related to give up

overdo, overindulge

bask, luxuriate, revel, roll, wallow
Near Antonyms of give up

abstain (from), eschew, forbear, forgo (also forego), refrain (from)

check, inhibit, restrain
Antonyms of give up

deny

Learn More about give up

  1. Dictionary: Definition of give up Nglish: Translation of give up for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of give up for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up give up? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games