Synonyms of give way

give way

phrase

1

as in collapse

to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure

That old chair is going to give way soon.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collapse
• go
• tumble
• give
• founder
• yield
• cave (in)
• buckle
• go out
• crumple
• die
• melt
• give out
• shatter
• crumble
• implode
• fail
• crash
• break
• burst
• snap
• flatten
• pop
• stall
• crack
• split
• break down
• smash
• melt down
• splinter
• deflate
• conk (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rise
• swell
• inflate

2

as in withdraw

to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)

They were urged to give way but chose to stand their ground.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• withdraw
• retreat
• give ground
• retire
• pull out
• fall back
• drop back
• lose ground
• back away
• recede
• flee
• evacuate
• fly
• leave
• shrink
• recoil
• pull away
• flinch
• chicken (out)
• back down
• climb down
• go
• detach
• depart
• bow out
• abandon
• backtrack
• quit
• disengage
• vacate
• disentangle
• backpedal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advance
• face
• dare
• breast
• confront
• brave
• defy
• beard
• outbrave
• brazen

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of give way

Nearly a thousand miles from Tahiti, Fatu Hiva is marked by towering sea cliffs and lush tropical valleys that give way to rolling green hills at the higher, cooler elevations. — Scott Laird, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026

From there, his psychological games give way to physical violence. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026

My favorite way to spend an afternoon, though, was borrowing one of the hotel's bicycles and pedaling around South of Fifth, where quiet residential streets quickly give way to cafés, the marina, and the fun buzz of Ocean Drive. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026

Pairing a jersey with a bubble skirt, structured bag, and boots gives way to soften the streetwear look. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 30 July 2026