as in to buckle (down)
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Recent Examples of knuckle down
Teams will use the five-week gap between the races in Japan and Miami to knuckle down at their factories and develop car upgrades that could boost their fortunes upon returning to the track in May.
—
Luke Smith, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
In survival mode, many brands have been forced to knuckle down and fortify their business strategies, in hopes of setting them up for success against a difficult backdrop.
—Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
European countries need to knuckle down and increase their military capabilities while Russia is still dedicating a chunk of its forces to its invasion of Ukraine, Sweden's defense minister has said.
—Ellie Cook — Reporting From Prague, Czech Republic, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Bunnie is knuckling down to help women escaping domestic violence.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Luke Smith, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
In survival mode, many brands have been forced to knuckle down and fortify their business strategies, in hopes of setting them up for success against a difficult backdrop.
—Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
European countries need to knuckle down and increase their military capabilities while Russia is still dedicating a chunk of its forces to its invasion of Ukraine, Sweden's defense minister has said.
—Ellie Cook — Reporting From Prague, Czech Republic, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Bunnie is knuckling down to help women escaping domestic violence.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knuckle down
Verb
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China has pitched in on Pakistan’s efforts to mediate and recently called for a comprehensive ceasefire.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
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Minds behind the project hope this new development will serve as yet another way that people can pitch in to address a large affordable housing shortage and prevalent homelessness in KCK, a city that has lacked a year-round homeless shelter despite officials’ plans to build one.—
Tammy Ljungblad,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Bring the skillet to the table for everyone to dig in.—
Victoria Spencer,
Martha Stewart,
12 May 2026
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If both sides now dig in, the ensuing fight could threaten the 2027 season.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knuckle down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckle%20down. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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