Definitions

cave in

[keyv-in] / ˈkeɪvˌɪn /

VERB

accede

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acquiesce

STRONG

accept admit allow assent comply concede concur cooperate endorse fold grant let okay permit subscribe yield

WEAK

be game for cry uncle enter into give the go-ahead give the green light go along with play ball roll over and play dead throw in the towel

Antonyms

STRONG

decline deny disagree disallow disapprove dispute dissent forbid hinder hold impede keep obstruct oppose prevent protest refuse reject repel repudiate resist veto

WEAK

condemn demur denounce

VERB

acquiesce

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accede comply concur conform give in go along

STRONG

accept accommodate adapt adjust agree allow approve buy consent ditto jibe okay pass reconcile set submit subscribe yield

WEAK

bow to come across come around cry uncle cut a deal give out play ball roll over and play dead say uncle shake on yes

Antonyms

STRONGEST

deny differ oppose refuse reject

STRONG

decline disagree disallow disapprove disarrange disorder dispute dissent dissuade hinder prevent protest resist unfit unsuit veto

WEAK

object

VERB

assent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accede subscribe

STRONG

accept accord acquiesce adopt allow approve buy comply concur conform consent defer ditto embrace espouse grant okay permit recognize sanction

WEAK

cut a deal give five give in go along with knuckle under pass on say uncle shake on

Antonyms

STRONG

argue decline deny differ disagree disallow disapprove dispute dissent object oppose protest refuse reject repudiate resist veto

VERB

back down

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abandon admit back off back out backtrack balk cancel concede give in give up pull back pull out renege retreat surrender take back withdraw

WEAK

accede acquiesce back pedal beg off bow out chicken out cop out demur give ground go back on have no fight left hold back recant recoil resign submit wimp out withdraw from agreement or statement yield

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance allow dispute dissent fight permit refuse reject uphold

WEAK

go forward

VERB

buckle

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bend crumple fold twist

STRONG

bulge collapse distort yield

Antonyms

STRONGEST

straighten

WEAK

flatten smooth

VERB

capitulate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bow cede concede defer relent succumb surrender

STRONG

fold submit yield

WEAK

buckle under come across come to terms give away the store give out give up knuckle under put out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

conquer defend fight win

VERB

collapse

Synonyms

STRONGEST

break crumple disintegrate drop fail faint fall down founder give way shatter topple weaken

STRONG

bend deflate droop exhaust flag fold give go languish subside succumb tire weary wilt yield

WEAK

belly up conk out crack up flake out give in give out go to pieces keel over

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accomplish achieve fix mend straighten strengthen succeed

STRONG

activate create energize grow increase inflate invigorate refresh rise withhold

WEAK

build

VERB

comply

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acquiesce adhere to give in give up obey observe quit satisfy submit

STRONG

accede accord defer discharge ditto fold fulfill keep mind perform respect yield

WEAK

agree to come around conform to consent to cry uncle don't make waves don't rock the boat fit in give out go along with go with the flow knuckle to knuckle under play ball play the game put out roll over and play dead shape up stay in line straighten up throw in towel toss it in yes one

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disobey dissuade

STRONG

condemn deny disallow disapprove fail ignore neglect oppose prevent refuse withhold

WEAK

decline rebuff reject resist

VERB

concede

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accept admit allow capitulate cede confess give up grant hand over quit relinquish surrender yield

STRONG

accord avow award ditto fold own waive

WEAK

bury the hatchet cry uncle fess up go along with go with the flow knuckle under let on own up play ball with say uncle throw in the towel yes one

Antonyms

STRONGEST

defend deny disallow disapprove dispute fight hold keep refuse reject repudiate veto win

WEAK

contradict disacknowledge disagree dissent

VERB

crumple

Synonyms

STRONGEST

break down buckle crush scrunch

STRONG

collapse crease crimp crinkle fall fold pucker ruck rumple screw shrivel wad wrinkle

WEAK

crimple give way go to pieces rimple

Antonyms

STRONG

flatten rise smooth straighten

VERB

cry uncle

Synonyms

WEAK

break give up give way put one's tail between one's legs say uncle surrender

VERB

descend

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cascade collapse crash dip disembark dive go down penetrate plummet plunge settle sink slide stumble subside swoop trickle tumble

STRONG

coast crouch decline deplane detrain dismount dribble drop fall gravitate ground incline light pitch plop prolapse set slant slope slump stoop submerge toboggan topple trip weep

WEAK

cataract fall prostrate get down get off lose balance slough off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ascend go up grow increase leave rise

STRONG

even level mount pour straighten

VERB

drop

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abandon collapse decline dive dump fell give up go down knock lower plummet plunge release shed shoot sink slide slip slump tumble

STRONG

depress descend duck floor flop ground loosen pitch plump relinquish topple unload

WEAK

bring down keel over nose-dive

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ascend go up hold keep maintain raise rise

WEAK

mount take up

VERB

fall

Synonyms

STRONGEST

collapse crash decline decrease depreciate diminish dip dive dwindle ease go down land plummet plunge settle sink slip slump stumble tumble

STRONG

abate backslide buckle cascade drag droop ebb flag flop gravitate lapse lessen pitch recede regress relapse slope spin subside topple totter trail trip wane

WEAK

be precipitated break down drop down fold up hit the dirt keel over nose-dive take a header tip over

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ascend climb go up raise rise scale

STRONG

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase

VERB

give in

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abandon back down capitulate cease cede comply concede give up hand over pull out quit relinquish submit surrender yield

WEAK

bail out bow out buckle under chicken out collapse cry uncle cut out desist despair drop fold forswear leave off resign stop waive

Antonyms

STRONGEST

defend deny disobey fight oppose persevere refuse reject resist win

WEAK

hold out

VERB

give in/give up

Synonyms

WEAK

abandon back down bail out bow out buckle under capitulate cease cede chicken out collapse comply concede cry uncle cut out desist despair drop drop like a hot potato fold forswear hand over leave off pull out quit relinquish resign stop submit surrender take the oath throw in the towel waive walk out on wash one's hands of yield

Antonyms

WEAK

fight hold out stand up to withstand

VERB

go down

Synonyms

STRONGEST

collapse crumple decline decrease descend drop pitch plunge reduce sink slump tumble

WEAK

be beaten be defeated droop fold founder go under keel lessen make less sag set submerge submerse submit succumb suffer defeat topple

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ascend expand go up grow increase raise rise strengthen

WEAK

gain

VERB

implode

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fall down

STRONG

fold

WEAK

fall in fold up

VERB

indent

Synonyms

STRONG

bash cut dent depress dint hollow jag mark nick notch pink pit rabbet rut scallop score serrate

Antonyms

STRONG

raise

WEAK

flush

VERB

knuckle under

Synonyms

WEAK

acquiesce give up retreat submit surrender yield

VERB

kowtow

Synonyms

STRONGEST

genuflect pander

STRONG

bow court cower cringe fawn flatter fold kneel prostrate stoop

WEAK

brown-nose give in go along with knuckle under lie down and roll over say uncle toe the mark

Antonyms

STRONG

ignore straighten

VERB

relent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acquiesce capitulate come around comply ease off give in give up let go quit relax slacken soften subside

STRONG

drop ease ebb fall fold forbear melt moderate slow wane weaken yield

WEAK

be merciful change one's mind cool it cry uncle die away ease up on give quarter give some slack give way go along with go easy on have mercy have pity lay back let it happen lighten up mellow out say uncle show mercy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

grow increase worry

STRONG

advance ascend continue free rise

WEAK

build

VERB

retreat

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abandon back down back off backtrack depart escape evacuate fall back go go back hide leave pull out recede reel retire reverse shrink withdraw

STRONG

avoid back decamp disengage ebb elude evade fold quail quit recoil regress relinquish resign retrograde run sequester vacate

WEAK

back away back out beat it draw back give ground go along with hand over keep aloof keep apart lay down move back opt out retrocede seclude oneself start back turn tail

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance come continue enter forge forward go forward keep meet remain stay

STRONG

face take on

VERB

sag

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dip drop off fall off languish sink slide slip slump wilt

STRONG

bag bend bow curve dangle decline drop fail fall flag flap flop hang lean settle swag

WEAK

fall away give way hang down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ascend increase rise

STRONG

go up straighten

WEAK

bulge draw up tighten

VERB

sink

Synonyms

STRONGEST

capsize decline descend dig dip disappear drill drive drop drown fall go down lower overturn plummet plunge ram sag settle slump stick submerge wreck

STRONG

bore depress droop ebb engulf excavate flounder founder immerse overwhelm regress scuttle set shipwreck slope stab stoop subside swamp thrust

WEAK

bring down cast down force down go to the bottom let down put down tip over touch bottom

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ascend go up increase raise rise

STRONG

excite grow lift succeed

WEAK

fight float strengthen

VERB

slump

Synonyms

STRONGEST

collapse deteriorate droop drop fall fall off go down hunch plummet plunge sag slide slip slouch tumble

STRONG

bend blight crash decay loll pitch topple

WEAK

go downhill go to ruin keel over reach new low

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ascend build go up increase rise straighten

VERB

submerse

Synonyms

STRONG

bore capsize couch decline depress descend dig dip disappear drill drive droop drop drown ebb engulf excavate fall flounder founder immerse lay lower overturn overwhelm plummet plunge ram regress run sag scuttle set settle shipwreck slope slump stab stick stoop submerge subside swamp thrust wreck

WEAK

bring down cast down demit force down go down go to the bottom let down put down tip over touch bottom

Antonyms

STRONG

ascend discourage displace dissuade dry excite fill go up grow halt increase lift neglect raise remove rise stop succeed underwhelm

VERB

subside

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate descend diminish dwindle ease ease off ebb melt peter out recede slacken wane

STRONG

collapse de-escalate decline drop fall lower lull moderate quieten settle sink taper

WEAK

die away let up level off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase prolong rise

STRONG

ascend go up

VERB

succumb

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bow break down buckle capitulate cease defer give in give way go down pass away perish quit wilt yield

STRONG

accede cave collapse croak decease demise depart drop expire fall fold go knuckle pass submit

WEAK

eat crow fall victim to flake out give in to give out give up the ghost go under knuckle under meet waterloo pack it in show white flag take the count throw in the towel

Antonyms

STRONGEST

continue defend fight

STRONG

ascend deny refuse rise stay

WEAK

conquer overcome win

VERB

surrender

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abandon capitulate cede commit concede give in hand over leave quit relinquish renounce submit succumb waive yield

STRONG

consign entrust fall fold knuckle

WEAK

buckle under cry uncle deliver up eat crow eat humble pie go along with go down go under knuckle under let go pack it in part with play dead put up white flag roll over throw in the towel toss it in

Antonyms

STRONGEST

come continue defend fight hold keep refuse reject retain win

WEAK

conquer surpass

VERB

wilt

Synonyms

STRONGEST

diminish droop dwindle ebb fade faint melt shrivel succumb wane wither

STRONG

collapse drop flag languish mummify sink waste weaken

WEAK

become limp break down dry up give out waste away wizen

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase rise

STRONG

build strengthen

WEAK

bloom

VERB

yield

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bow buy capitulate give up give way leave succumb

STRONG

abandon abdicate bend break cede collapse crumple defer fold go knuckle relax relent relinquish resign sag submit

WEAK

admit defeat back down call it quits come to terms fold up give oneself over hand over knuckle under lay down arms let go part with suffer defeat throw in the towel

Antonyms

STRONGEST

defend fight

STRONG

agree assert build hide hold increase keep retain rise stay straighten

WEAK

counter deny disallow disapprove oppose prevent refuse reject veto withhold

NOUN

collapse

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bankruptcy catastrophe crash debacle destruction disintegration disruption failure

STRONG

cataclysm disorganization exhaustion faint flop prostration ruination ruining smash subsidence undoing wreck

WEAK

basket case cave-in crack-up smash-up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

miracle success wonder

STRONG

creation good fortune

WEAK

buildup increase rise

NOUN

damage

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accident blow bruise casualty catastrophe contamination corruption destruction deterioration devastation disturbance hardship harm illness impairment pollution suffering wound

STRONG

adulteration adversity affliction bane blemish breakage cave-in debasement depreciation deprivation detriment disservice evil hurt infliction knockout marring mischief mishap mutilation outrage reverse ruin ruining spoilage waste wreckage wrecking wrong

Antonyms

STRONGEST

betterment

STRONG

amelioration improvement

WEAK

development purification

NOUN

descent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

plunge slide

STRONG

coast crash declension declination decline declivity dip downgrade droop drop drop-off fall grade gradient header hill inclination incline landslide precipitation prolapse sag settlement sinking slant slip slope swoop tailspin tumble

WEAK

cave-in coming down falling plummeting plunging sinkage topple

Antonyms

STRONG

ascent evenness increase level rise

WEAK

ascension elevation improvement upgrade

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.

A new study of Neanderthal remains from a cave in Belgium is shedding light on a disturbing aspect of prehistoric life.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

And on an artefact called "adorant" from the Geißenklösterle cave in the Achtal valley, they identified rows of dots and notches on an ivory plaque showing a lion-human creature.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026

Yet, in the home that he and Allen built together, the pink primary suite was windowless, creating the impression of a cozy cave in stark contrast with his former dwelling.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 12, 2026

Disney’s chief financial officer appeared on CNBC, saying the Burbank company was willing to negotiate with Google “as long as they want to” rather than cave in.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2025

The panes of glass in the windows had been either broken or stolen, and the roof had begun to cave in.

From "Dragonwings" by Laurence Yep

cave in

Example Sentences

Related Words