KNUCKLED UNDER Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

knuckled under

verb

past tense of knuckle under

as in succumbed

to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control) encouraged her to stand firm and not knuckle under to political pressure

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as in surrendered

to yield to the control or power of enemy forces the remote outpost was overrun and forced to knuckle under

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for knuckled under

Verb

Even those who have succumbed to cancer are able to be sent off like this, since toxic chemotherapy drugs are usually long gone from the body by the time of passing.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
The city’s Medical Examiner ruled the victim’s death a homicide after determining Wong succumbed to stab wounds to his neck and torso.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of succumbed

Verb

Their defense had surrendered 83 points in consecutive blowout losses to Missouri and South Carolina, and the optimism surrounding new coach Jon Sumrall had evaporated faster than a puddle on a Gainesville sidewalk in August.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Oct. 2026
Despite the strong showing, shares surrendered an early rally.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of surrendered

Verb

Griess, the superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, said the 430 trees that were felled were not identified as hazardous or raising safety concerns.

— Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026
Yet trees that took a millennium to grow can be felled in under an hour.

— Annika Hammerschlag, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of fell

Verb

Roberto De Feo, an Italian director and screenwriter, says the breakout success of Obsession and Backrooms has allowed Paolo Strippoli’s campy, fun Italian horror thriller The Spiral, which bowed in Venice and is now potentially up for an Oscar.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
Embiid appeared to wonder during the national anthem where the Knicks' championship banner was hanging in the rafters as James sat nearby on the bench with his head bowed and hands clasped.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of bowed

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“Knuckled under.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckled%20under. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of knuckled under

verb

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