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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Boone was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Mullins, 26, died on the floor of the store, succumbing to his wounds before paramedics arrived.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Giants got another run when Lee homered in the eighth, but the eight runs that Houser surrendered were too much to overcome.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Lomu, 21, didn’t allow a sack last season, surrendering two QB hits and six hurries.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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David Feineman, Broomfield To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
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The application documents also note that, in July 2024, the Zoning Board approved an application submitted by Wheelers Farm Partners, LLC, and Greenview Equities, LLC, the owners of 470-488 Wheelers Farm Road, which is the 47-acre office park.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Cole Allen, the suspect in the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner shooting, conceded to remain detained pending further legal proceedings in his case, his attorney said at his detention hearing on Thursday.—
Alexander Mallin,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
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Regardless, against an offensive machine as efficient as Cleveland’s, those are the shots the Raptors will concede.—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The film was the top film over this past weekend after bowing on the platform Friday.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
30 Apr. 2026
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Charles placed an arrangement of flowers on a parapet before the couple silently bowed their heads in a moment of reflection.—
Philip Marcelo,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knuckle under.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckle%20under. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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