KNUCKLE UNDER Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

knuckle under

verb

Definition of knuckle under

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knuckle under

Verb

He was carried out of the ring on a stretcher; his body finally succumbing to complete exhaustion.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
On average, 1 to 3 in 1,000 children with measles may succumb to the infection and its complications.

— Demetre Daskalakis, STAT, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of succumb

Verb

Wheeler threw 111 pitches in seven scoreless innings of Game 1 of the 2024 NLDS, then the bullpen surrendered five runs in the eighth.

— Matt Gelb, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Abandoning the group at a moment when sovereignty over its own reserves is more contested than at any point since the 1970s would surrender political leverage without delivering additional export revenue the country desperately needs.

— Amena Bakr, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of surrender

Verb

Election officials would submit voters’ names, addresses, and corresponding barcode information through a portal operated by the federal government.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Sep. 2026
Users submit coordinates of rat sightings (dead or alive), alongside a short report on the setting.

— Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of submit

Verb

The first warning sign landed alarmingly early for Arbeloa, watching his team concede just 31 seconds into the season opener.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Although Inter Miami boasts the league’s top scorer in Messi (18 goals) and most potent offense with 59 goals, the team’s shaky defense has conceded the fifth-most goals in the East.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of concede

Verb

Clancy’s father, seated in the second row directly behind his daughter, leaned forward and bowed his head.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
Related Stories While onstage before his new film bowed on the first night of the serene Colorado festival, Haigh seemed faintly astonished to be there at all.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026