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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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In season 3's closing stretch, Rue Bennett (Zendaya) succumbs to an accidental fentanyl overdose.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 June 2026
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How to Tackle Lawn Fungus Whether or not your lawn succumbs to a fungal disease is not entirely within your control.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
28 May 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
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The Philadelphia Police Department's Homicide Unit is investigating the killing, and asks that anyone with information calls 215-686-3334 or submits an anonymous tip by calling or texting 215-686-TIPS (8477).—
Alexandra Simon,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
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Anyone who submits a bingo card will be entered into a gift card giveaway.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
6 June 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
-
Katie Porter concedes in race for governor.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
2 June 2026
-
The other, correspondingly, concedes it.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
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The plan would be to shoot the film later this summer in Los Angeles after Damon is done promoting Odyssey, which bows July 18.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
20 May 2026
-
The film bows in Berlin’s Perspectives section.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knuckles under.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckles%20under. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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