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
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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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Any higher, and the plants began to succumb to the harsh environment, which led to stress and failure.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
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Harrington and Shan were pronounced dead at the scene while Pederson succumbed to his injuries on Monday.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The policy, implemented last fall, prompted most Pentagon reporters to surrender their credentials rather than agree to restrictions.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Second- and third-round picks usually only return depth players at the deadline, but Columbus has acquired a legitimate difference-maker with term beyond this season without surrendering a first-round pick or any prospects.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The firm submitted the lowest responsive bid out of the six that were received, according to board documents.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
8 Mar. 2026
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All prize claims must be submitted within 180 days of the drawing date for draw games.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Creuzot, who conceded Wednesday after the final results were released, thanked supporters, voters and his family, and congratulated Givens.—
Jane Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Mar. 2026
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And if this week has been any indication, the players may be closer to conceding ground than owners.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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All of Mabel’s new forest friends—there are deer, rabbits, turtles, raccoons, and a singularly gloomy bear—bow down to a beaver sovereign, King George (Bobby Moynihan), a gregarious and naïve soul who embraces a humble, communal ideal of living.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
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Gina remembers keeping her head bowed and her eyes low, careful not to make eye contact with her fellow customers as she was escorted back to Whole Foods Jail.—
Nora DeLigter,
Curbed,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knuckle under.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckle%20under. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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