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

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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

The New Jersey native succumbed to organ failure that led to cardiac arrest, the New York Times reported Friday.

— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
The inherent challenge in making films dealing with progressive illness is not succumbing to an inescapably formulaic structure that can’t help but go with the territory.

— Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of succumb

Verb

When Feldstein arrived, around midnight, Braverman got into his car and asked him to surrender his phone to an aide standing outside.

— Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
After surrendering 28 first-half points, JSerra held Bishop Amat scoreless, and running back Justin Clinton, who rushed for more than 130 yards, including a 67-yard burst and a 43-yard touchdown, in check in the second half.

— Joel Beers, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of surrender

Verb

Purdue held both Indiana State‘s and Wake Forest’s starting running backs to less than four yards per carry, and has conceded just two rushing touchdowns to those starters this season.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
As the plot progresses, there are constant digs at Google Maps and Apple Maps for conceding to Trump’s order.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of concede

Verb

Over the past 15 years, Da Vittorio has expanded to key international cities, from Saint Moritz, which opened in 2012, to Shanghai, which bowed in 2019.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
The film continues a strong bond between two-time Oscar winner Pitt and Paramount, with their survival thriller Heart of the Beast bowing next weekend.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026