Synonyms of gives way

gives way

phrase

present tense third-person singular of give way

1

as in collapses

to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure

That old chair is going to give way soon.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collapses
• goes
• goes out
• caves (in)
• founders
• tumbles
• gives
• yields
• crumples
• buckles
• melts
• dies
• gives out
• shatters
• crumbles
• implodes
• crashes
• fails
• breaks
• bursts
• breaks down
• melts down
• stalls
• flattens
• cracks
• pops
• splits
• snaps
• smashes
• splinters
• deflates
• conks (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rises
• swells
• inflates

2

as in retreats

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

• retreats
• withdraws
• falls back
• pulls out
• gives ground
• drops back
• retires
• backs away
• loses ground
• flees
• recedes
• evacuates
• flies
• pulls away
• leaves
• chickens (out)
• recoils
• flinches
• shrinks
• goes
• bows out
• departs
• detaches
• climbs down
• backs down
• backtracks
• abandons
• disengages
• vacates
• quits
• backpedals
• disentangles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advances
• faces
• breasts
• confronts
• defies
• dares
• beards
• braves
• outbraves
• brazens

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of gives way

The aforementioned press conference in real time gives way to footage of the same conference from a TV mounted to the ceiling. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2026

Passing through the gates and up a winding road lined with cedar, palm, and pine trees, the villa comes into view, and my anxiety quickly gives way to excitement. — Ken Gawrych, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2026

As the train gains elevation, dense coastal forest gradually gives way to alpine tundra, glacial lakes, rocky peaks, and, early in the season, lingering snowfields before reaching the White Pass Summit at 2,885 feet. — Bailey Berg, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026

Despite a 25% decline in gold from its high in January, proponents of the precious metal are storming into bullish call positions after almost two months of sideways action gives way to a rally Friday following weak jobs data. — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026

But as days turn to weeks, and a spartan Christmas gives way to a very unhappy new year, the family must consider the possibility that this is a grim new normal. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

As those arrangements expire and experimentation gives way to production, the full cost of enterprise AI is becoming more visible. — Bryan Murphy, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026

The skiing that fills its winters gives way each summer to trails, passes, and open valley to roam. — Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026

Landscapes become more homogeneous, and vegetation gives way to shrubland. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026