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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As a result, they’re almost guaranteed to succumb to dehydration within just a few hours.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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Others gain freedom, only to succumb to longstanding health issues that were never addressed properly in prison.—
Yosha Gunasekera,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In a 28-16 win over a dominant Texans defensive line, Campbell surrendered four quarterback pressures and two sacks, according to Pro Football Focus.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
23 Jan. 2026
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After only eight interceptions in 17 regular-season games, Maye has surrendered six in just two playoff games.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2026
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As part of her inquiry, Garnett ordered federal prosecutors to provide her with a copy of the affidavit submitted to obtain a federal search warrant in the matter.—
MICHAEL R. SISAK,
Arkansas Online,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Within three months, the city hired a consultant who studied costs and projected a savings over 20 years of $500 million, though the consultant conceded that was an estimate and the actual figure could be anywhere between $250 million and $900 million.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Jan. 2026
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But Neto conceded that Betts’ is certainly the better bowler out of the two.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Heated Rivalry also makes a splash on the latest Top TV Songs list, bowing with three tunes in the top six.—
Kevin Rutherford,
Billboard,
23 Jan. 2026
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Abigail hoped that when the colonies achieved independence, women in America would join in the victory and finally have a say over their own lives without having to bow to the authority of men in managing their homes and property, and planning for their futures.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knuckle under.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckle%20under. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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