1
as in to succumb
to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control)
encouraged her to stand firm and not knuckle under to political pressure
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to surrender
to yield to the control or power of enemy forces
the remote outpost was overrun and forced to knuckle under
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of knuckle under
Some owners show their mettle for a spell, then find adequate reason to knuckle under; others have no intention of even pretending to do what is hard or what is right.
—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
29 May 2026
Everyone, including the media, knuckles under.
—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
24 Feb. 2026
That’s a clear message to others to get in line and knuckle under — or else.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Jan. 2026
How much of this is a bluff designed to get Senate Democrats to knuckle under and vote to reopen the government and how much of this is wishcasting by MAGA?
—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
10 Oct. 2025
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
29 May 2026
Everyone, including the media, knuckles under.
—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
24 Feb. 2026
That’s a clear message to others to get in line and knuckle under — or else.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Jan. 2026
How much of this is a bluff designed to get Senate Democrats to knuckle under and vote to reopen the government and how much of this is wishcasting by MAGA?
—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knuckle under
Verb
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One boy, 12, succumbed to the heat and passed out, with EMS medics and police rushing to help him, according to PIX 11.
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On Thursday at Wimbledon, a couple of players were unable to do so, succumbing to Nadal’s Law.
Verb
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In a friendly in Tokyo last October, Brazil surrendered a two-goal halftime lead and watched Japan pull ahead for an eventual 3-2 victory.
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More than 700 dogs remain unaccounted for Investigators have reviewed records showing that 918 dogs had been surrendered and transferred to Miranda’s Rescue from January 2025 to April 2026, Honsal said.
Verb
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At that point, Mills said, Kamlager-Dove’s office submitted inquiries to the Postal Service asking about the reason for the closure and what is being done to alleviate the burden on customers.
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To qualify, a patient's provider must submit a prior authorization request showing that the patient is being prescribed a GLP-1 for weight loss.
Verb
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El Tri is averaging two goals a game and has yet to concede one.
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Mexico remains unbeaten in this year’s tournament and has won four out of four games without conceding a goal.
Verb
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France coach Didier Deschamps bowed when his star came to the bench after he was substituted in the 85th minute.
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An adventure bowing to higher authority, raising yourself above nothing and no one.
Cite this Entry
“Knuckle under.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckle%20under. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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