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
Countries that didn’t knuckle under — and those that found other ways to incur Trump’s wrath — got hit harder.
—
Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2025
But in an era when entertainment companies, along with politicians and seemingly everyone else, race to knuckle under to Trump's bullying and litigious tactics, the episode is still a shock.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
Over time, Congress knuckled under, banning Chinese and limiting Italians and Jews with country-of-origin quotas rigged against them.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 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
Miraculously, however, it is told in the voice of a musician, Rainy, a man who refuses to knuckle under and whose tones remain kind and more hopeful than despairing.
—Katherine A. Powers, Washington Post, 22 June 2024
Biden is all too willing to knuckle under both to the environmentalists who want to stop any new conventional-energy development and to the labor bosses who don’t want to see the ports modernized and automated, which might eat into their discretionary funds.
—The Editors, National Review, 23 June 2022
Please do not knuckle under.
—Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, 25 Oct. 2021
Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2025
But in an era when entertainment companies, along with politicians and seemingly everyone else, race to knuckle under to Trump's bullying and litigious tactics, the episode is still a shock.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
Over time, Congress knuckled under, banning Chinese and limiting Italians and Jews with country-of-origin quotas rigged against them.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 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
Miraculously, however, it is told in the voice of a musician, Rainy, a man who refuses to knuckle under and whose tones remain kind and more hopeful than despairing.
—Katherine A. Powers, Washington Post, 22 June 2024
Biden is all too willing to knuckle under both to the environmentalists who want to stop any new conventional-energy development and to the labor bosses who don’t want to see the ports modernized and automated, which might eat into their discretionary funds.
—The Editors, National Review, 23 June 2022
Please do not knuckle under.
—Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, 25 Oct. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knuckle under
Verb
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Facio, who also was hospitalized, succumbed to his injuries on June 8 — six days after he was shot in the face.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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The men in green were dominated from the start and eventually succumbed to the pressure, unable to even cross the 100-run mark.—
Paras J. Haji,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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At least for the moment, Maron seems to surrender to the discord between two of his three roommates, though stand-up’s most famous cat guy is never not a little on edge.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Pressure to release the hostages, pressure to lay down its arms, and pressure to surrender control over Gaza’s future.—
Benjamin Sharoni,
Boston Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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And on July 7, freight hauling company Daniel Trucking International also submitted a Chapter 11 filing to reorganize its business, listing $1 million to $10 million in assets and liabilities.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Aug. 2025
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The public can also submit comments online until Sept. 22.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Jenkins conceded in the early morning hours after hosting several dozen people for a watch party at The Enclave, on Detroit's northwest side, according to an email from her campaign.—
Dana Afana,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Dos Santos took back over for Pablo Sisniega, who conceded only three total goals in four MLS starts but allowed five in SDFC’s two previous Leagues Cup losses.—
Kyle Kensing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Their heavy heads, the size of cartwheels, bowed down and facing towards the sun, from East to West.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Aug. 2025
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They were then categorized by behavior, including jumps, belly rolls, tail slaps, bow riding and even petting.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knuckle under.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckle%20under. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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