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

After analyzing coprolite samples taken from over 35 sites around the world, researchers documented a clear shift in shape, size, and composition as the Ediacaran gave way to the Cambrian.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Aug. 2026
Following the long catch and run, Mahomes gave way to the backup quarterbacks.

— Pete Grathoff July 31, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

Definition of gave way

Phrase

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
Kotagal highlighted a 2024 report on the tech sector that showed that women had made virtually no gains between 2014 and 2022, and that workers under 40 years old had actually lost ground.

— Alexandra Olson, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 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.

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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 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of gave ground

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