give way
phrase
1
as in collapse
to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure
That old chair is going to give way soon.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in withdraw
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)
They were urged to give way but chose to stand their ground.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of give way
Of course, the summer of 2025 gave way to the fall, during which Swift and Kelce announced their engagement.
—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
4 July 2026
This stretch is a favorite among travelers, with rolling hills giving way to stunning shorelines near San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, where waves, beaches, and palm trees line the route.
—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
4 July 2026
As a result, the old growth model of simply finding new customers is giving way to a relationship model focused on retention, advocacy and lifetime value.
—
Jeff Fromm,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
On Day 4, one of tennis’ more familiar rules took hold, American hopes were set for the July 4 weekend and the upsets of last year gave way to chalk.
—
Ava Wallace,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
Local resident Mohammad Tahir said neighbors were the first to respond after the roof gave way.
—
ABC News,
1 July 2026
So the career of saying this film, not that one, gives way to a bitter understanding that the medium was indifferent to attempts at discrimination and prospects of a pantheon.
—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
30 June 2026
When the 50-day gave way and then the 200-day gave way, those were the exits the original write-up identified.
—
Josh Brown,sean Russo,
CNBC,
29 June 2026
Candlelight and gaslight gave way to electricity, an unwobbling source of interior light.
—
Cal Revely-Calder,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
4 July 2026
This stretch is a favorite among travelers, with rolling hills giving way to stunning shorelines near San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, where waves, beaches, and palm trees line the route.
—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
4 July 2026
As a result, the old growth model of simply finding new customers is giving way to a relationship model focused on retention, advocacy and lifetime value.
—
Jeff Fromm,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
On Day 4, one of tennis’ more familiar rules took hold, American hopes were set for the July 4 weekend and the upsets of last year gave way to chalk.
—
Ava Wallace,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
Local resident Mohammad Tahir said neighbors were the first to respond after the roof gave way.
—
ABC News,
1 July 2026
So the career of saying this film, not that one, gives way to a bitter understanding that the medium was indifferent to attempts at discrimination and prospects of a pantheon.
—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
30 June 2026
When the 50-day gave way and then the 200-day gave way, those were the exits the original write-up identified.
—
Josh Brown,sean Russo,
CNBC,
29 June 2026
Candlelight and gaslight gave way to electricity, an unwobbling source of interior light.
—
Cal Revely-Calder,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Give way.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/give%20way. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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