1
as in succumbing
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 surrendering
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knuckling under
Verb
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The work was not about identity, as is so often argued, but transcended identity without succumbing to the empty promises of globalization.
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Supergirl killing Krem without much buildup, or hesitation, despite her advice to Ruthye, could have been framed as the heroine succumbing to her impulses, or accepting some dark truth about her own nature.
Verb
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After that victory, Makhachev moved up to welterweight, surrendering his 155-pound title.
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Freeland also pitched out of trouble in the fifth after surrendering back-to-back one-out singles.
Verb
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In a letter believed to be written around June 30, two days after submitting the draft of the Declaration, Jefferson asked Edmund Pendleton, president of the Virginia Convention, for someone to replace him at the Continental Congress.
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The facility is experienced in submitting documentation and claims to the VA’s Foreign Medical Program on behalf of eligible veterans.
Verb
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Gibson retires the first two batters before giving up a single to Paul Goldschmidt, followed by the homer barrage.
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Roberts walked the next hitter, Cooper Pratt, before giving up a run-scoring triple to David Hamilton.
Verb
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In 1997, as Sanders was reckoning with his father’s pain, Glass was giving in to hers.
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Sonya, despite having a boyfriend, seems to feel the same way, but time and society are the only things holding her back from giving in to these feelings.
Verb
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Japan was the first nonhost country to qualify for the 2026 tournament, scoring 54 goals and conceding only 3 across two Asian rounds.
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The president’s intense desire to reopen the Strait of Hormuz has taken priority over longer-term concerns, conceding the initiative to Iran by his unwillingness to act.
Verb
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An adventure bowing to higher authority, raising yourself above nothing and no one.
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China and Japan are part of the offshore suite opening Friday, with France and Belgium bowing next weekend.
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Cite this Entry
“Knuckling under.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckling%20under. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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