1
as in to relinquish
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 to abandon
to stop doing (something) permanently
I hope you won't give up playing the piano
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3
as in to succumb
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 to indulge
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 give up
After giving up on strenuous cycling vacations, T+L's copy chief goes for one more ride—this time with an e-assist.
—
Kathy Roberson, Travel + Leisure, 15 June 2025
Florida went 3 for 3 on the penalty kill — and now has killed off 87.5 percent of opponents’ power plays on the road this postseason — and Bobrovsky stopped 19 of 21 shots for his seventh road game this playoffs giving up two goals or fewer.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 June 2025
The push by the Trump administration to persuade Tehran to give up its nuclear program came after the U.S. and other world powers in 2015 reached a long-term, comprehensive nuclear agreement that limited Tehran's enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.
—Arkansas Online, 14 June 2025
Tom gave up just one sack in 489 offensive snaps in 2022 and finished with a grade of 68.3 from Pro Football Focus.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for give up
Kathy Roberson, Travel + Leisure, 15 June 2025
Florida went 3 for 3 on the penalty kill — and now has killed off 87.5 percent of opponents’ power plays on the road this postseason — and Bobrovsky stopped 19 of 21 shots for his seventh road game this playoffs giving up two goals or fewer.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 June 2025
The push by the Trump administration to persuade Tehran to give up its nuclear program came after the U.S. and other world powers in 2015 reached a long-term, comprehensive nuclear agreement that limited Tehran's enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.
—Arkansas Online, 14 June 2025
Tom gave up just one sack in 489 offensive snaps in 2022 and finished with a grade of 68.3 from Pro Football Focus.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for give up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for give up
Verb
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In addition there are concerns about relinquishing control of monetary policy as countries in the euro zone are subject to decisions by the ECB, Tursa added.—
Sophie Kiderlin,
CNBC,
10 June 2025
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The nonprofit Consumer Watchdog argued that the bill would relinquish state control of California’s famously ambitious clean energy policies.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
6 June 2025
Verb
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The number of remote job postings has declined, but this shift shouldn’t be seen as a signal to abandon what many knowledge workers value most.—
Duane Tursi,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Based on the true story of Annie Silva Pais, daughter of Portugal’s secret police chief, who abandoned her life in 1965 to join the Cuban Revolution.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
8 June 2025
Verb
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The explosion in the Lebanese capital, which killed more than 200 people and injured thousands, caused devastation to the building and its owners, with the matriarch of the family, 98-year-old Yvonne Sursock Cochrane, eventually succumbing to her injuries.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
12 June 2025
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So far this year, one person — a 13-year-old boy — has died from subway surfing, succumbing to his injuries days after falling off the top of a No. 7 train in Queens.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
11 June 2025
Verb
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Lot holders know that tchotchkes aren’t allowed but that the grounds crew will indulge them, for a time.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
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Strive to indulge once in a while without overdoing it.—
Leigh Morgan,
Quartz,
2 June 2025
Verb
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Pickard’s only goal surrendered was the one from Sam Reinhart that tied Game 4 with 19.5 seconds left in regulation to send it to overtime.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2025
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The club led 3-0 before surrendering a pair of late goals.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Privately, the show’s lead actress, Emily Meade, threatened to quit.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
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After being a successful child actor in the 1950s, Talbot quit acting at the age of 14.—
Meredith Wilshere,
People.com,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Script is by mega TV producer Taylor Sheridan, who was commissioned by Warner Bros prior to his current overall deal with Paramount, with the latter granting Taylor’s request to render services, within Paramount’s exclusive window.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
13 June 2025
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After the blaring siren was rendered silent in Florida’s 6-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, the horn will be ready and in full force for Game 4 on Thursday at Amerant Bank Arena.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
12 June 2025
Verb
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Iglesias will deliver a career-spanning setlist encompassing both iconic standards and contemporary chart-toppers from his three-decade-plus career.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
10 June 2025
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Health care stakeholders across the spectrum would be well served to support the needs of small business for quality and affordability, and to enable innovative models that deliver better options going forward.—
Dan Mendelson,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Give up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/give%20up. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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