Synonyms of giving way

giving way

phrase

present participle of give way

1

as in collapsing

to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure

That old chair is going to give way soon.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collapsing
• going out
• going
• caving (in)
• tumbling
• crumpling
• giving
• buckling
• yielding
• melting
• dying
• shattering
• crumbling
• giving out
• foundering
• imploding
• melting down
• crashing
• breaking down
• failing
• bursting
• breaking
• flattening
• conking (out)
• snapping
• splitting
• popping
• smashing
• stalling
• cracking
• deflating
• splintering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rising
• swelling
• inflating

2

as in retreating

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

• retreating
• withdrawing
• pulling out
• falling back
• losing ground
• giving ground
• backing away
• dropping back
• retiring
• receding
• fleeing
• evacuating
• pulling away
• flying
• backing down
• climbing down
• leaving
• bowing out
• shrinking
• chickening (out)
• recoiling
• flinching
• departing
• detaching
• going
• abandoning
• backtracking
• disengaging
• vacating
• disentangling
• backpedaling
• quitting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advancing
• facing
• confronting
• daring
• defying
• braving
• breasting
• brazening
• outbraving
• bearding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of giving way

Here, the spice mingles with cardamom and ginger before giving way to earthy patchouli, papyrus, and creamy orris butter. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026

Lynch took the loss after giving way to former All-Star Tony Gonsolin, who made his Royals debut. — Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026

Timothy Rogers/Getty Images With Burnley looking more polished in midfield, Moore was largely forced to exist on scraps in the opening hour before giving way to Smith. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

The war has unfolded in fits and starts, with bursts of overwhelming American firepower repeatedly giving way to promises that diplomacy might bring it to an end. — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026

Kevin Terrell / Getty Images Earlier this week, Harbaugh announced that starting quarterback Justin Herbert and the first-team unit will play for just one opening series before giving way to backups. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Be sure to plan at least one evening on-property to catch the sunset, when the mountains are painted in shades of pink and purple before giving way to a sky filled with twinkling stars. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026

The Black Crowes broke out with a frisky cover of this Otis Redding tune just as hair metal was giving way to grunge. — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

As more containers float through the supply chain, global logistics networks have failed to expand at the same pace, giving way to port congestion. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026