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

According to the National Weather Service, a cloudy morning and afternoon would give way to rain showers and fierce winds hit the area Friday evening and continue through Saturday morning. — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026

Here, the spice mingles with cardamom and ginger before giving way to earthy patchouli, papyrus, and creamy orris butter. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026

Most timber horses begin their careers over hurdles, Garner said, although the transition requires them to become more careful jumpers because timber fences do not give way as easily. — Michael Howes, Baltimore Sun, 23 Sep. 2026

Lynch took the loss after giving way to former All-Star Tony Gonsolin, who made his Royals debut. — Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026