GAVE GROUND Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

gave ground

phrase

past tense of give ground

as in withdrew

to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable) There is wildlife in the area, so give ground if you see any when hiking.

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for gave ground

Phrase

Rachel and Monica’s West Village sublet gave way to Hannah and Marnie’s Greenpoint apartment—an address that might be considered laughably unattainable by the broke twentysomethings of today.

— Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026
Those boos gave way to cheers when the Red Sox played a 90-second tribute video after the bottom of the first.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of gave way

Phrase

With rising geopolitical tensions, a surge in domestic competition and a disconnect from the Chinese consumer, American companies have lost ground in the region that once offered fuel for growth.

— Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
The next three drivers ranked outside the Chase — Ross Chastain (12th at Richmond), Brad Keselowski (26th) and Erik Jones (27th) — also lost ground, diluting the potential drama of a surprise qualifier.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of lost ground

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.

Browse Nearby Words

gave birth to

gave ground

gave in

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“Gave ground.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gave%20ground. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of gave ground

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