give up

verb

gave up; given up; giving up; gives up

transitive verb

1
: to yield control or possession of : surrender
forced to give up his job
2
: to desist from : abandon
refused to give up her efforts
3
: to declare incurable or insoluble
4
a
: to abandon (oneself) to a particular feeling, influence, or activity
gave himself up to despair
b
: to devote to a particular purpose or use
5
: to despair of seeing
we'd given you up
6
: to allow (a hit or run in baseball) while pitching

intransitive verb

: to cease doing or attempting something especially as an admission of defeat : quit
often used with on
don't give up on the project
Phrases
give up the ghost
: to cease to live or function : die

Examples of give up in a Sentence

was in so much debt he had to give up his house and move into a cheaper apartment I hope you won't give up playing the piano.
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.
The Seahawks gave up an average of 211.9 passing yards per game in 2024, along with 120.8 rushing yards. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025 Lipscomb found some success early in the quarter, but UCA never gave up back-to-back baskets without scoring in between for the rest of the game. Sam Lane, arkansasonline.com, 12 Mar. 2025 Since the start of February, the Pacers have given up 120+ points in a game to the Atlanta Hawks (three times), Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Washington Wizards, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, and the Bulls. Tony East, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 According to the drug’s official website, children between 2 and 5 years of age can be given up to 4 tablespoons of Children’s Benadryl per day. Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for give up

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of give up was in the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Give up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/give%20up. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

give up

verb
1
2
: to abandon (oneself) to a feeling, influence, or activity
3

More from Merriam-Webster on give up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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