as in surrender
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1
as in relinquishing
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress
was in so much debt he had to give up his house and move into a cheaper apartment
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2
as in abandoning
to stop doing (something) permanently
I hope you won't give up playing the piano
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3
as in succumbing
to yield to the control or power of enemy forces
with the prospect of a renewed enemy attack, the regiment decided to simply give up
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4
as in indulging
to give (oneself) over to something especially unrestrainedly
even in the darkest days of her troubled marriage, she refused to give herself up to feelings of utter hopelessness
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of giving up
Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026
The numbers have followed Parker as well, as his secondary has been a part of a top-eight passing defense in three of the past five seasons, including the Eagles giving up the fewest passing yards in the NFL in their 2024 Super Bowl season.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026
But instead of giving up or ignoring what’s ahead, those of us who love and value the arts and humanities should take that as a challenge—and prove him wrong.
—Benjamin Wolff, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
But experts say one small switch, washing in cold water, can cut energy use significantly without giving up clean clothes or that fresh, comfortable feel.
—Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
Smith wasn’t thrilled about giving up 81 points.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2026
But neither Salt nor Pepa are giving up.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2026
No shortcuts, no giving up - just more studying and even more determination.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Miami’s defense seemed flummoxed, giving up a 35-yard TD pass for the second TD.
—Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
This would likely mean freezing the conflict along the existing front lines and essentially giving up on trying to regain its land while the ceasefire is in place.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026
The numbers have followed Parker as well, as his secondary has been a part of a top-eight passing defense in three of the past five seasons, including the Eagles giving up the fewest passing yards in the NFL in their 2024 Super Bowl season.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026
But instead of giving up or ignoring what’s ahead, those of us who love and value the arts and humanities should take that as a challenge—and prove him wrong.
—Benjamin Wolff, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
But experts say one small switch, washing in cold water, can cut energy use significantly without giving up clean clothes or that fresh, comfortable feel.
—Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
Smith wasn’t thrilled about giving up 81 points.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2026
But neither Salt nor Pepa are giving up.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2026
No shortcuts, no giving up - just more studying and even more determination.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Miami’s defense seemed flummoxed, giving up a 35-yard TD pass for the second TD.
—Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for giving up
Noun
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After Japan's surrender at the end of the war, Mino was captured as a prisoner of war and sent to a Siberian prison camp in Russia.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
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Engagement does not require surrender.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Buffalo Bills lasted seven weeks in the pole position before relinquishing the title to the Kansas City Chiefs.—
Scott Phillips,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
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Hamas has shown no signs of relinquishing power or its weapons.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Rather than abandoning values, Sesame Solar reframed them in terms that decision-makers were already used to hearing.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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Hours after her murder, Wilson encountered Ruiz and persuaded her to get into his vehicle under false pretenses, and then killed her before running her over multiple times and abandoning her body in a nearby field, per Gulf Coast News Now.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The man was pronounced dead at the hospital after succumbing to his injuries, according to police.—
Kelsey Brown,
San Antonio Express-News,
4 Jan. 2026
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After temporarily succumbing to one of his deeply seductive illusions, the Big Other urges him to stop dreaming.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Battambang province is Cambodia’s agricultural heartland and, aside from indulging at the local markets, one of the best ways to experience its culinary heritage is getting into the countryside.—
Vicky Smith,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
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The skaters, staff, volunteers and fans were generous in indulging me.—
Brian Munoz,
NPR,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In response, Moreno signed a voluntary relinquishment of Spa Bar’s massage establishment license in July.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
10 Dec. 2025
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But in 2022, when people returned to their offices or got new jobs and work schedules changed, the San Clemente shelter relinquishments jumped 87%, with 131 animals dropped off.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
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For the white men, the experience of prison was the veil that now concealed them, rendering them strangers and exiles from the world outside.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
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The committee approved the report in under a minute, without discussion, rubber-stamping false compliance and rendering our transparency laws meaningless.—
Bobby Block,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The stunned Rams went three-and-out on their first overtime possession, a team with a future Hall of Fame quarterback surrendering with three runs that were indicative of questionable McVay play-calling throughout the game.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2026
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The Spurs, who led by 25 at the break, held on for a three-point victory, but only after surrendering 39 second-half points to Edwards, easily the most in a single half in the association this season.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
18 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Giving up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/giving%20up. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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