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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of knuckle under
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
Those that didn’t knuckle under — or otherwise incurred Trump’s wrath — got hit harder earlier this month.
—Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2025
The front lines of our legal edifice have been divided and conquered, with premier law firms knuckling under and meekly promising to shut up and work for Trump, while the Supreme Court carefully pulls its punches to avoid a showdown.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Of course, Cruz knuckled under a little while later.
—James Hohmann, Washington Post, 9 July 2024
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
Those that didn’t knuckle under — or otherwise incurred Trump’s wrath — got hit harder earlier this month.
—Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2025
The front lines of our legal edifice have been divided and conquered, with premier law firms knuckling under and meekly promising to shut up and work for Trump, while the Supreme Court carefully pulls its punches to avoid a showdown.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Of course, Cruz knuckled under a little while later.
—James Hohmann, Washington Post, 9 July 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knuckle under
Verb
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The family had told her that everyone in the apartment had died—Samih, too, had succumbed to his wounds—but not that Zahra’s body was still missing.—
Rania Abouzeid,
New Yorker,
21 May 2026
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For one, the Frenchie vision is just corny and clumsy, and so is the idea of Kimiko harnessing the power of love to defeat the bad guy without succumbing to vengeful rage.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Cole exited in line for the win but settled for a no-decision after the Yankees’ bullpen surrendered four runs in the eighth.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2026
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On Thursday, Ali arrived at the Metropolitan Police Department’s Second District Station alongside his father and attorney to surrender to authorities, court documents revealed.—
Julia Bonavita , Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
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And doing it manually — finding every broker, submitting every opt-out form, rechecking every few months — takes hours.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
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The family began working with a contractor in March 2024, submitted permits by June, and officially began construction in early July, before wrapping up about a month later.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Everyone in the Democrat Party in Illinois was conceding the race to Republican Attorney General Jack Ryan.—
Gary Franks,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
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But the team still gives up too many goals, with nine goals conceded over the past three games.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The film, which is set to bow in Un Certain Regard on May 21, tumbles through tones, swerving through pitch-black humor, empathy, fury and larger-than-life moments.—
William Earl,
Variety,
20 May 2026
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As reported, the company will continue to mark its 110th milestone with an exhibition bowing in Parma in September, before traveling the world in 2027.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knuckle under.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckle%20under. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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