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Synonyms

gave

American  
[geyv] / geɪv /

verb

  1. simple past tense of give.


gave British  
/ ɡeɪv /

verb

  1. the past tense of give

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mary Kay committed her sellers to advance purchase of the products, a system she believed motivated success, according to Ms. Gavenas: “A bigger buy-in gave consultants more incentive to clinch a sale.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

It seemed meaningful to him, so I gave it a shot.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

And in the capital, Yaounde, he gave a speech at the Catholic University of Central Africa, in which he spoke about AI's role in bringing about a "transformation in our very relationship with the truth".

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Mary Kay excelled in high school but eloped at age 16 with her first husband, Julius Ben Rogers, and gave birth to two children in rapid succession.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

“And then you stopped messaging me altogether. Not that I can blame you, but it hurt that you gave up on me, because I felt like you of all people should have known. Should’ve asked.”

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam