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
-
If someone succumbs to the heat, promptly relocate them to a cool, shaded location.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
-
In season 3's closing stretch, Rue Bennett (Zendaya) succumbs to an accidental fentanyl overdose.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The ayatollahs won’t make any deal that surrenders their nuclear program.—
Rob Crilly,
The Washington Examiner,
22 May 2026
-
Alex Murdaugh surrenders Murdaugh turned himself in at the Hampton County Detention Center.—
Marlene Lenthang,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Michaels adamantly submits that the answer is not submission in silence but a strong determination to fight for a party that once stood for America’s vision of liberty and justice for all, regardless of race or religion.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2026
-
The Traitors submits itself for writing.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
The message on Iranian television is that a ‘strong and proud’ Islamic Republic has forced Washington to recognize its control over the Strait of Hormuz and to ease military pressure, while Tehran supposedly gives up very little in return.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
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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
Verb
-
The waiver concedes a major point of potential leverage at the start of these 60-day talks.—
Ruth Sherlock,
NPR,
19 June 2026
-
Katie Porter concedes in race for governor.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Lillocci contributed to the design of Canali’s fall 2026 lineup but his first full collection in this new role bows for spring 2027, which will be unveiled in Milan on Sunday.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
19 June 2026
-
The series bows on aTwist in mid-August.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knuckles under.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckles%20under. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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