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
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Recent Examples of knuckle under
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knuckle under
Verb
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Below, Stewart and Poots talk to Deadline about hiding hernias, falling in love with raw, compelling stories and learning to succumb to the ebbs and flows of vulnerability.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
13 Jan. 2026
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Despite life-saving efforts, the woman succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At last check Caleb resigned and surrendered his teaching license.—
Briseida Holguin,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
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As of Monday morning, it’s not known if Busfield is in custody or has made arrangements to surrender himself to authorities in New Mexico.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Costco also submitted a traffic-impact analysis by Boise consulting firm Kittelson & Associates, indicating the development would generate just shy of 7,000 new vehicle trips per day.—
Rose Evans
January 8,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
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The city reversed course and put the matter out to bid but ultimately rejected a proposal by Nikki Beach after saying its representatives missed a deadline to submit documents.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As the situation escalated, the other Black passenger conceded and moved, but Colvin remained steadfast.—
Essence,
Essence,
15 Jan. 2026
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The Comets’ defense aims to hold opponents under four goals per game, but has conceded five or more in each of the last four games.—
Nathan Dunn,
Kansas City Star,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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With a formfitting silhouette and long sleeves, the lace look was given an extra boost of femininity with the addition of a pink ruffle and bow beneath the bustline — a motif that also featured at the cuffs of the long-sleeve dress.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
13 Jan. 2026
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Give branches and limbs bowing under the weight of snow or ice a helping hand.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knuckle under.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckle%20under. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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