gives up (to)

Definition of gives up (to)next
present tense third-person singular of give up (to)
as in dedicates
to keep or intend for a special purpose unfortunately, when he was in college, weekends were largely given up to binge drinking

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gives up (to)
Verb
  • The plan dedicates 35% of the total funding to preserving existing state infrastructure, 19% to water and transportation projects, 16% public safety projects and 11% in affordable housing and local projects.
    Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Alongside the actor’s son Shunsuke (Ryusei Yokohama), Kikuo dedicates himself to the centuries-old theatrical tradition, with their relationship evolving through decades of performances – from acting school to prestigious stages – against a backdrop of scandals and glory, brotherhood and betrayals.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, the saddest novel ever written, devotes some space to the description of just such a device, the earliest example of a fictional machine capable of writing.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
  • But the governor also devotes several pages to providing his side of the story from the 2024 search for a vice-presidential candidate, after Harris wrote a detailed account of the traditionally secretive process, which included a less-than-warm meeting with Shapiro.
    Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • There’s a version of this story that is easy and uplifting, where the hawk symbolizes freedom and saves Helen’s life and everyone lives happily ever after.
    Adam Graham, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
  • The ideal time to do this is during a brake replacement (just saves a little labor).
    John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Gives up (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gives%20up%20%28to%29. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.

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