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 Pączki, a classic Polish baked good that's similar to a donut, have grown in tradition over the years as people prepare to give up things like sweets for the Lenten season. Megan Shinn, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026 Hubert got two innings of work, giving up two runs on two hits with two strikeouts. Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026 Since then, their peers have not given up calling for justice. Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026 Ukraine counters Russia by arguing against giving up territory that Russia hasn't been able to claim during the war. Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for give up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for give up
Verb
  • His father refused to relinquish his grudge, as Dreher saw it, and his mother always went along with her husband.
    Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Notable sellers include Bruce Springsteen, who in 2021 made a deal with Sony Music Entertainment to relinquish his master recordings and songs for $500 million.
    Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • All three figures were once associated with the regime’s internal movement for incremental reform; all three long ago abandoned that stance to advocate the wholesale transformation of the system instead.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Despite the relatively recent creation of the Government Oversight Committee, the legislature has largely abandoned its oversight role.
    Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In the coldest regions of its hardiness zone, plants can succumb to winter dieback during unusually harsh winters but generally recover well with new growth.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Some turn to suicide, succumb to addiction, or become easy targets for those who exploit vulnerability.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The last time Sarah made a public appearance was on September 25 of last year, before surrendering her Duchess of York title in October.
    Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Here's what happens to the items that are surrendered at TSA.
    Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Elsewhere in boys hockey action, Brian Dilisio delivered a hat trick that proved the difference for Essex Tech, anchoring a 4-1 win over Martha’s Vineyard to take the tournament championship.
    Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Glenn, who became the first woman since Kwan to win three consecutive national titles, will come in as the heavy favorite but Liu, the only member of the team with Olympic experience, and the 18-year-old Levito, a silver medalist at worlds, could deliver just as easily.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • But that third period, the girls never quit.
    CBS News, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Del Valle recently attended a choreographers conference in Europe and was surprised to learn that many of them had quit dancing.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Projected as a center fielder in a strong Rangers lineup, his draft-and-hold price may rise into Round 3, with a healthy year yielding a very plausible 25-homer, 25-steal outcome.
    Derek VanRiper, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
  • City data showed that the sweeps under ex-Mayor Eric Adams did not yield any permanent or supportive-housing referrals in more than a year, the news outlet The City reported in December.
    Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Beer that turned green − possibly a chemical reaction with the drugs Dominque Pelicot had been slipping into her drinks and food to render her unconscious for the rapes.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
  • However, last week the environmental groups submitted filings that requested the panel conduct oral arguments before rendering a decision.
    Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Give up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/give%20up. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

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