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Definitions

cave in

[keyv-in] / ˈkeɪvˌɪn /
VERB
accede
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acquiesce
STRONG
accept admit allow assent comply concede concur cooperate endorse fold grant let okay permit subscribe yield
WEAK
be game for cry uncle enter into give the go-ahead give the green light go along with play ball roll over and play dead throw in the towel
Antonyms
STRONG
decline deny disagree disallow disapprove dispute dissent forbid hinder hold impede keep obstruct oppose prevent protest refuse reject repel repudiate resist veto
WEAK
condemn demur denounce
VERB
acquiesce
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accede comply concur conform give in go along
STRONG
accept accommodate adapt adjust agree allow approve buy consent ditto jibe okay pass reconcile set submit subscribe yield
WEAK
bow to come across come around cry uncle cut a deal give out play ball roll over and play dead say uncle shake on yes
Antonyms
STRONGEST
deny differ oppose refuse reject
STRONG
decline disagree disallow disapprove disarrange disorder dispute dissent dissuade hinder prevent protest resist unfit unsuit veto
WEAK
object
VERB
assent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accede subscribe
STRONG
accept accord acquiesce adopt allow approve buy comply concur conform consent defer ditto embrace espouse grant okay permit recognize sanction
WEAK
cut a deal give five give in go along with knuckle under pass on say uncle shake on
Antonyms
STRONG
argue decline deny differ disagree disallow disapprove dispute dissent object oppose protest refuse reject repudiate resist veto
VERB
back down
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abandon admit back off back out backtrack balk cancel concede give in give up pull back pull out renege retreat surrender take back withdraw
WEAK
accede acquiesce back pedal beg off bow out chicken out cop out demur give ground go back on have no fight left hold back recant recoil resign submit wimp out withdraw from agreement or statement yield
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance allow dispute dissent fight permit refuse reject uphold
WEAK
go forward
VERB
buckle
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bend crumple fold twist
STRONG
bulge collapse distort yield
Antonyms
STRONGEST
straighten
WEAK
flatten smooth
VERB
capitulate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bow cede concede defer relent succumb surrender
STRONG
fold submit yield
WEAK
buckle under come across come to terms give away the store give out give up knuckle under put out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
conquer defend fight win
VERB
collapse
Synonyms
STRONGEST
break crumple disintegrate drop fail faint fall down founder give way shatter topple weaken
STRONG
bend deflate droop exhaust flag fold give go languish subside succumb tire weary wilt yield
WEAK
belly up conk out crack up flake out give in give out go to pieces keel over
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accomplish achieve fix mend straighten strengthen succeed
STRONG
activate create energize grow increase inflate invigorate refresh rise withhold
WEAK
build
VERB
comply
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acquiesce adhere to give in give up obey observe quit satisfy submit
STRONG
accede accord defer discharge ditto fold fulfill keep mind perform respect yield
WEAK
agree to come around conform to consent to cry uncle don't make waves don't rock the boat fit in give out go along with go with the flow knuckle to knuckle under play ball play the game put out roll over and play dead shape up stay in line straighten up throw in towel toss it in yes one
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disobey dissuade
STRONG
condemn deny disallow disapprove fail ignore neglect oppose prevent refuse withhold
WEAK
decline rebuff reject resist
VERB
concede
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accept admit allow capitulate cede confess give up grant hand over quit relinquish surrender yield
STRONG
accord avow award ditto fold own waive
WEAK
bury the hatchet cry uncle fess up go along with go with the flow knuckle under let on own up play ball with say uncle throw in the towel yes one
Antonyms
STRONGEST
defend deny disallow disapprove dispute fight hold keep refuse reject repudiate veto win
WEAK
contradict disacknowledge disagree dissent
VERB
crumple
Synonyms
STRONGEST
break down buckle crush scrunch
STRONG
collapse crease crimp crinkle fall fold pucker ruck rumple screw shrivel wad wrinkle
WEAK
crimple give way go to pieces rimple
Antonyms
STRONG
flatten rise smooth straighten
VERB
cry uncle
Synonyms
WEAK
break give up give way put one's tail between one's legs say uncle surrender
VERB
descend
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cascade collapse crash dip disembark dive go down penetrate plummet plunge settle sink slide stumble subside swoop trickle tumble
STRONG
coast crouch decline deplane detrain dismount dribble drop fall gravitate ground incline light pitch plop prolapse set slant slope slump stoop submerge toboggan topple trip weep
WEAK
cataract fall prostrate get down get off lose balance slough off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ascend go up grow increase leave rise
STRONG
even level mount pour straighten
VERB
drop
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abandon collapse decline dive dump fell give up go down knock lower plummet plunge release shed shoot sink slide slip slump tumble
STRONG
depress descend duck floor flop ground loosen pitch plump relinquish topple unload
WEAK
bring down keel over nose-dive
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ascend go up hold keep maintain raise rise
WEAK
mount take up
VERB
fall
Synonyms
STRONGEST
collapse crash decline decrease depreciate diminish dip dive dwindle ease go down land plummet plunge settle sink slip slump stumble tumble
STRONG
abate backslide buckle cascade drag droop ebb flag flop gravitate lapse lessen pitch recede regress relapse slope spin subside topple totter trail trip wane
WEAK
be precipitated break down drop down fold up hit the dirt keel over nose-dive take a header tip over
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ascend climb go up raise rise scale
STRONG
develop enlarge expand extend grow increase
VERB
give in
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abandon back down capitulate cease cede comply concede give up hand over pull out quit relinquish submit surrender yield
WEAK
bail out bow out buckle under chicken out collapse cry uncle cut out desist despair drop fold forswear leave off resign stop waive
Antonyms
STRONGEST
defend deny disobey fight oppose persevere refuse reject resist win
WEAK
hold out
VERB
give in/give up
Synonyms
WEAK
abandon back down bail out bow out buckle under capitulate cease cede chicken out collapse comply concede cry uncle cut out desist despair drop drop like a hot potato fold forswear hand over leave off pull out quit relinquish resign stop submit surrender take the oath throw in the towel waive walk out on wash one's hands of yield
Antonyms
WEAK
fight hold out stand up to withstand
VERB
go down
Synonyms
STRONGEST
collapse crumple decline decrease descend drop pitch plunge reduce sink slump tumble
WEAK
be beaten be defeated droop fold founder go under keel lessen make less sag set submerge submerse submit succumb suffer defeat topple
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ascend expand go up grow increase raise rise strengthen
WEAK
gain
VERB
implode
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fall down
STRONG
fold
WEAK
fall in fold up
VERB
indent
Synonyms
STRONG
bash cut dent depress dint hollow jag mark nick notch pink pit rabbet rut scallop score serrate
Antonyms
STRONG
raise
WEAK
flush
VERB
knuckle under
Synonyms
WEAK
acquiesce give up retreat submit surrender yield
VERB
kowtow
Synonyms
STRONGEST
genuflect pander
STRONG
bow court cower cringe fawn flatter fold kneel prostrate stoop
WEAK
brown-nose give in go along with knuckle under lie down and roll over say uncle toe the mark
Antonyms
STRONG
ignore straighten
VERB
relent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acquiesce capitulate come around comply ease off give in give up let go quit relax slacken soften subside
STRONG
drop ease ebb fall fold forbear melt moderate slow wane weaken yield
WEAK
be merciful change one's mind cool it cry uncle die away ease up on give quarter give some slack give way go along with go easy on have mercy have pity lay back let it happen lighten up mellow out say uncle show mercy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
grow increase worry
STRONG
advance ascend continue free rise
WEAK
build
VERB
retreat
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abandon back down back off backtrack depart escape evacuate fall back go go back hide leave pull out recede reel retire reverse shrink withdraw
STRONG
avoid back decamp disengage ebb elude evade fold quail quit recoil regress relinquish resign retrograde run sequester vacate
WEAK
back away back out beat it draw back give ground go along with hand over keep aloof keep apart lay down move back opt out retrocede seclude oneself start back turn tail
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance come continue enter forge forward go forward keep meet remain stay
STRONG
face take on
VERB
sag
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dip drop off fall off languish sink slide slip slump wilt
STRONG
bag bend bow curve dangle decline drop fail fall flag flap flop hang lean settle swag
WEAK
fall away give way hang down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ascend increase rise
STRONG
go up straighten
WEAK
bulge draw up tighten
VERB
sink
Synonyms
STRONGEST
capsize decline descend dig dip disappear drill drive drop drown fall go down lower overturn plummet plunge ram sag settle slump stick submerge wreck
STRONG
bore depress droop ebb engulf excavate flounder founder immerse overwhelm regress scuttle set shipwreck slope stab stoop subside swamp thrust
WEAK
bring down cast down force down go to the bottom let down put down tip over touch bottom
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ascend go up increase raise rise
STRONG
excite grow lift succeed
WEAK
fight float strengthen
VERB
slump
Synonyms
STRONGEST
collapse deteriorate droop drop fall fall off go down hunch plummet plunge sag slide slip slouch tumble
STRONG
bend blight crash decay loll pitch topple
WEAK
go downhill go to ruin keel over reach new low
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ascend build go up increase rise straighten
VERB
submerse
Synonyms
STRONG
bore capsize couch decline depress descend dig dip disappear drill drive droop drop drown ebb engulf excavate fall flounder founder immerse lay lower overturn overwhelm plummet plunge ram regress run sag scuttle set settle shipwreck slope slump stab stick stoop submerge subside swamp thrust wreck
WEAK
bring down cast down demit force down go down go to the bottom let down put down tip over touch bottom
Antonyms
STRONG
ascend discourage displace dissuade dry excite fill go up grow halt increase lift neglect raise remove rise stop succeed underwhelm
VERB
subside
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abate descend diminish dwindle ease ease off ebb melt peter out recede slacken wane
STRONG
collapse de-escalate decline drop fall lower lull moderate quieten settle sink taper
WEAK
die away let up level off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
develop enlarge expand extend grow increase prolong rise
STRONG
ascend go up
VERB
succumb
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bow break down buckle capitulate cease defer give in give way go down pass away perish quit wilt yield
STRONG
accede cave collapse croak decease demise depart drop expire fall fold go knuckle pass submit
WEAK
eat crow fall victim to flake out give in to give out give up the ghost go under knuckle under meet waterloo pack it in show white flag take the count throw in the towel
Antonyms
STRONGEST
continue defend fight
STRONG
ascend deny refuse rise stay
WEAK
conquer overcome win
VERB
surrender
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abandon capitulate cede commit concede give in hand over leave quit relinquish renounce submit succumb waive yield
STRONG
consign entrust fall fold knuckle
WEAK
buckle under cry uncle deliver up eat crow eat humble pie go along with go down go under knuckle under let go pack it in part with play dead put up white flag roll over throw in the towel toss it in
Antonyms
STRONGEST
come continue defend fight hold keep refuse reject retain win
WEAK
conquer surpass
VERB
wilt
Synonyms
STRONGEST
diminish droop dwindle ebb fade faint melt shrivel succumb wane wither
STRONG
collapse drop flag languish mummify sink waste weaken
WEAK
become limp break down dry up give out waste away wizen
Antonyms
STRONGEST
develop enlarge expand extend grow increase rise
STRONG
build strengthen
WEAK
bloom
VERB
yield
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bow buy capitulate give up give way leave succumb
STRONG
abandon abdicate bend break cede collapse crumple defer fold go knuckle relax relent relinquish resign sag submit
WEAK
admit defeat back down call it quits come to terms fold up give oneself over hand over knuckle under lay down arms let go part with suffer defeat throw in the towel
Antonyms
STRONGEST
defend fight
STRONG
agree assert build hide hold increase keep retain rise stay straighten
WEAK
counter deny disallow disapprove oppose prevent refuse reject veto withhold
NOUN
collapse
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bankruptcy catastrophe crash debacle destruction disintegration disruption failure
STRONG
cataclysm disorganization exhaustion faint flop prostration ruination ruining smash subsidence undoing wreck
WEAK
basket case cave-in crack-up smash-up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
miracle success wonder
STRONG
creation good fortune
WEAK
buildup increase rise
NOUN
damage
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accident blow bruise casualty catastrophe contamination corruption destruction deterioration devastation disturbance hardship harm illness impairment pollution suffering wound
STRONG
adulteration adversity affliction bane blemish breakage cave-in debasement depreciation deprivation detriment disservice evil hurt infliction knockout marring mischief mishap mutilation outrage reverse ruin ruining spoilage waste wreckage wrecking wrong
Antonyms
STRONGEST
betterment
STRONG
amelioration improvement
WEAK
development purification
NOUN
descent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
plunge slide
STRONG
coast crash declension declination decline declivity dip downgrade droop drop drop-off fall grade gradient header hill inclination incline landslide precipitation prolapse sag settlement sinking slant slip slope swoop tailspin tumble
WEAK
cave-in coming down falling plummeting plunging sinkage topple
Antonyms
STRONG
ascent evenness increase level rise
WEAK
ascension elevation improvement upgrade

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mr. Krivak suspensefully spaces out the events of the cave-in, interweaving them with the quiet drama of Ondro’s life as a survivor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

And they do not suggest massive subsidence or a cave-in of the mountain.

From BBC • Jun. 25, 2025

Authorities have not said what caused the initial cave-in that trapped the men as they were nearing the end of their night shift but the region is prone to landslides, earthquakes, and floods.

From Reuters • Nov. 27, 2023

And he faults the homeowners association for failing to take aggressive action to alleviate the risks between the first cave-in and the implosion in March.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 15, 2023

He found no sign of a cave-in, but there were no lights.

From "The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.