Synonyms of gives way

gives way

phrase

present tense third-person singular of give way

1

as in collapses

to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure

That old chair is going to give way soon.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collapses
• goes
• goes out
• caves (in)
• founders
• tumbles
• gives
• yields
• crumples
• buckles
• melts
• dies
• gives out
• shatters
• crumbles
• implodes
• crashes
• fails
• breaks
• bursts
• breaks down
• melts down
• stalls
• flattens
• cracks
• pops
• splits
• snaps
• smashes
• splinters
• deflates
• conks (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rises
• swells
• inflates

2

as in retreats

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

• retreats
• withdraws
• falls back
• pulls out
• gives ground
• drops back
• retires
• backs away
• loses ground
• flees
• recedes
• evacuates
• flies
• pulls away
• leaves
• chickens (out)
• recoils
• flinches
• shrinks
• goes
• bows out
• departs
• detaches
• climbs down
• backs down
• backtracks
• abandons
• disengages
• vacates
• quits
• backpedals
• disentangles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advances
• faces
• breasts
• confronts
• defies
• dares
• beards
• braves
• outbraves
• brazens

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of gives way

From there, the exhibition gives way to the striking editorial images with which Pavarotti quickly made his name, set against walls washed in scarlet, fuchsia, canary yellow, plum, and terracotta. — Alison S. Cohn, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

That repetition eventually gives way to a more intimate moment, the kind of experience Sivan wanted the Madonna sample to evoke. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2026

However, the architect eventually gives way to use and function first, despite valuing the aesthetics at hand (not to mention, his collaborations with local artisans). — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026

Her humdrum life gives way to beach bonfires at sunset (lensed by Tudor Vladimir Panduru and Fabian Gamper in stunning dusky blues and pinks) and skinny-dipping in the river. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026

As the novelty surrounding humanoid robots gives way to business questions about their commercialization, stock analysts still see potential in one gear box supplier. — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026

Before work gives way to the weekend, take a few minutes to catch up on the California stories worth knowing today. — James Ward, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Golden hour is one of the best times to be outside and enjoying the evening sun; the lighting during golden hour is unlike any other time of day and gives way to a fleeting warmth that’s both romantic and somewhat nostalgic. — Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Passing through the gates and up a winding road lined with cedar, palm, and pine trees, the villa comes into view, and my anxiety quickly gives way to excitement. — Ken Gawrych, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2026