gave up

VERB

admit defeat

Synonyms

WEAK

abandon back down bail out bow out buckle under capitulate cave in 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

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.

Producers will be mindful of the participants who gave up their time and will want the fame that comes with appearing in the programme.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

He said that young people stepped up during Covid, praising how "the generation least at risk gave up the most to help the rest of us keep safe".

From BBC • May 20, 2026

On Monday, the Dow rose 0.3% while the S&P 500 slipped by 0.1% and the Nasdaq Composite gave up 0.5%.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Kunal Khandwala of San José was among those searching for a spot until he gave up and pulled over, blocking a few cars but ready to move if their owners returned and needed to leave.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

Making a little growling noise, the dragon gave up the effort at flight, sank its claws into the sheets, and began to climb the bed.

From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville