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

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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

Each Aman brings a particular individuality, yet the continuous thread between each is this aptitude for creating a space where guests can fully succumb to relaxation.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
In the aftermath, Anya and Lisbeth are bonded by a dark secret about what happened that night, and the town slowly succumbs to a wave of religious hysteria.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of succumb

Verb

Billionaires cajole us left and right to surrender our cognitive function for the sake of convenience; AI slop operas serve up easy dopamine; sycophantic chatbots swaddle us in cocoons of false certainty.

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026
Urgent Matter reported in May that Kilongo surrendered his New York gallery to his landlord and agreed to pay $25,000.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of surrender

Verb

To submit a tip regarding the circumstances related to the shooting, contact Northern District Shooting Detectives at 410-396-2455.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
His new condition called for the project’s plans, which had initially been submitted in late 2022, to be upgraded to meet the new 2025 building code standards.

— Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of submit

Verb

Dunlap conceded last week and LePage declared victory, and he's been in Washington for orientation for new members.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Nov. 2026
The playbook concedes that compared to other industries with similar general architectures, the clothing and textile manufacturing sector faces a number of challenges that can slow the adoption of digital processes.

— Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 13 Nov. 2026