give over

verb

gave over; given over; giving over; gives over
Synonyms of give overnext

transitive verb

1
: cease
2
3
a
: to yield without restraint or control : abandon
gave themselves over to laughter
b
: to set apart for a particular purpose or use
4
archaic : to pronounce incurable

intransitive verb

British : to cease an activity : stop
… told him to give over and let me alone …Brendan Behan

Examples of give over in a Sentence

his wife suggested that he give over working such long hours if it was making him so unhappy gave over his entire savings to an investor
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Beyond America's VetDogs, the Amazin' Mets Foundation has given over $22 million to nonprofits in their own backyard and beyond, wherever a Met steps to the plate or takes the mound. Pat Mueller, USA Today, 25 June 2026 More screen time is given over to her burgeoning friendship with firebrand suffragette Mary, played by singer Lily Allen in a deliberately anachronistic performance — her forthright speech and manner beamed in directly from the 21st century. Guy Lodge, Variety, 3 June 2026 The waterfront, here and elsewhere, was gradually given over to industry. Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 3 June 2026 That entire entertainment district will be given over to World Cup activities, with restaurants, bars and the market courtyard broadcasting the 104 matches. Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for give over

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of give over was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Give over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/give%20over. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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