throw in the sponge

VERB

cede

Synonyms

STRONGEST

capitulate communicate concede give in give up grant hand over relinquish renounce sign over transfer waive

STRONG

abdicate accord alien alienate allow convey drop fold leave resign vouchsafe yield

WEAK

abalienate come across with deed fork over make over part with remise throw in the towel

Antonyms

STRONGEST

fight hold keep refuse

STRONG

challenge continue deny disallow disapprove maintain oppose reject retain withhold

WEAK

defend gain guard take over win

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.

The stockholders, ready to throw in the sponge, voted to liquidate.

From Time Magazine Archive

Congress was ready this week to throw in the sponge.

From Time Magazine Archive

Retired Escondido, Calif. Some men would have been ready to throw in the sponge.

From Time Magazine Archive

So why not throw in the sponge on Laetrile?

From Time Magazine Archive

The poor kid was hangin' on the ropes waitin' for somebody to throw in the sponge.

From Kid Scanlan by Witwer, H. C. (Harry Charles)