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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to abandon
to stop doing (something) permanently
I hope you won't give up playing the piano
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to succumb
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Strange gets a Buffalo defense that gave up the fewest points to TEs this year.
—
Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
To play the 18th-century religious leader Ann Lee, for instance, Amanda Seyfried gave up Botox, her anti-aging intervention of choice, for an entire year, in addition to eschewing makeup on set.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026
In his final episode, McCoy gives up his career to ensure a tech baron with deep political ties faces justice.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Jan. 2026
But Simmons never gave up on her dream.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for give up
Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
To play the 18th-century religious leader Ann Lee, for instance, Amanda Seyfried gave up Botox, her anti-aging intervention of choice, for an entire year, in addition to eschewing makeup on set.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026
In his final episode, McCoy gives up his career to ensure a tech baron with deep political ties faces justice.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Jan. 2026
But Simmons never gave up on her dream.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for give up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for give up
Verb
-
The supply issue partly reflects years of underbuilding after the 2008 financial crisis, as well as the reluctance of homeowners who locked in ultra-low mortgage rates during the ensuing recession to relinquish their properties.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
What impresses Lanthimos most is Plemons’ willingness to relinquish control.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Miami Hurricanes are at home, while the entire state of Indiana – save for some in West Lafayette – is content to abandon their homes to enjoy this unexpectedly stupefying playoff march.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Season One concludes with the Texas Tech geology graduate abandoning a well crew after tragedy strikes, only to achieve rapid success in his personal and work endeavors.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Below, Stewart and Poots talk to Deadline about hiding hernias, falling in love with raw, compelling stories and learning to succumb to the ebbs and flows of vulnerability.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Despite life-saving efforts, the woman succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
At last check Caleb resigned and surrendered his teaching license.—
Briseida Holguin,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
As of Monday morning, it’s not known if Busfield is in custody or has made arrangements to surrender himself to authorities in New Mexico.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The moratorium will halt the initial stages of free agency in which teams would seek to deliver qualifying offers and franchise tag designations to players.—
Doug Feinberg,
Twin Cities,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Barajas and other co-defendants picked up the parcels and delivered them to Thola-Duran and others, with Thola-Duran acting as a fence to buy the goods at a fraction of their retail value, according to the indictment.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And speaking of personal, the same CU faithful who called Seaton the next Penei Sewell 18 months ago are slamming him as a me-first, money-chasing hypocrite who quit on his team and his coach.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The reality is, whether your kid makes it to the pros or is part of the 70% who quit before 13, every kid eventually plays their last game at some point.—
Jonathan Carone,
Parents,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
How to Make Ree Drummond’s Chicken Spaghetti Poach chicken and pick out meat to yield 2 cups.—
Heather Riske,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Along with seeing a lift from fresh Sony theatricals, the original production component of the agreement yielded Kpop Demon Hunters, the biggest Netflix movie release of all time.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This transformation renders the target — the frozen limit — a finite object that a finite computer can handle.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Its three glittering diamonds had a powerful effect on Sophie Rhys-Jones—rendering her speechless.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Give up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/give%20up. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
