1
as in succumbs
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 surrenders
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 knuckles under
Everyone, including the media, knuckles under.
—
Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knuckles under
Verb
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The Shakespearean classic focuses on Macbeth, a Scottish general who makes his prophecy of becoming king a reality but then succumbs to madness.—
Alyson Rodriguez,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
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Her sexuality is a source of conflict for her family, and the pressure leads to the painful breakup with her girlfriend, Rosie (Jess Gabor), who succumbs to family expectations.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Andrew surrenders his Duke of York title.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
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Peter then surrenders to Catherine, who demands his explanation for going AWOL.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Each year, the task force submits a report to Congress outlining gaps in research and highlighting areas where more focus is needed.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
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Will biannual bombing campaigns be employed until Iran submits to American demands?—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This day in sports history 1913 — Jim Thorpe gives up his track medals from the 1912 Olympic games as a result of his having been a professional.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
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That extra pick could also be helpful if the Braves were to sign a free agent who turned down a qualifying offer from his former team, in which case the signing team gives up a draft pick to the team from which the player got the QO.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Sam, a food stylist, concedes that being in a wealthy suburban enclave may have led her to be a little more brash than usual.—
Nora DeLigter,
Curbed,
6 Mar. 2026
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Going into Wednesday’s games, the Lakers rank 27th in opposing field goal percentage and 24th in defensive rating, an estimate of the amount of points a team concedes across a 100-possession span.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The film bows in Berlin’s Perspectives section.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
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Inside, surrounded by butter lamps and intricate iconography, even my skeptical husband bows before the Buddha.—
Shunali Khullar Shroff,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knuckles under.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckles%20under. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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