Synonyms of giving way

giving way

phrase

present participle of give way

1

as in collapsing

to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure

That old chair is going to give way soon.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collapsing
• going out
• going
• caving (in)
• tumbling
• crumpling
• giving
• buckling
• yielding
• melting
• dying
• shattering
• crumbling
• giving out
• foundering
• imploding
• melting down
• crashing
• breaking down
• failing
• bursting
• breaking
• flattening
• conking (out)
• snapping
• splitting
• popping
• smashing
• stalling
• cracking
• deflating
• splintering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rising
• swelling
• inflating

2

as in retreating

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

• retreating
• withdrawing
• pulling out
• falling back
• losing ground
• giving ground
• backing away
• dropping back
• retiring
• receding
• fleeing
• evacuating
• pulling away
• flying
• backing down
• climbing down
• leaving
• bowing out
• shrinking
• chickening (out)
• recoiling
• flinching
• departing
• detaching
• going
• abandoning
• backtracking
• disengaging
• vacating
• disentangling
• backpedaling
• quitting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advancing
• facing
• confronting
• daring
• defying
• braving
• breasting
• brazening
• outbraving
• bearding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of giving way

For brands trying to reach young consumers in China, the old playbook of presenting an aspirational lifestyle may be giving way to something more personal — helping users find interests, creators and communities that feel like their own. — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026

At some of the world’s most exclusive hotels, old-world service is giving way to old-world skills. — Rachel Levin, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026

The rest of the weekend is looking pleasant, with the cool mornings giving way to pleasant afternoons. — Ron Smiley, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

The first two lines in each stanza are about the promise of the season, before giving way to its end, showing the necessity of what came before in order for the next season to begin. — Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 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

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

Timothy Rogers/Getty Images With Burnley looking more polished in midfield, Moore was largely forced to exist on scraps in the opening hour before giving way to Smith. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

The war has unfolded in fits and starts, with bursts of overwhelming American firepower repeatedly giving way to promises that diplomacy might bring it to an end. — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026