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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knuckles under
Verb
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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 -
Live, the band’s cataclysmic volume precludes close observation, and melodic detail succumbs to feedback like dust caught in an exploding star’s stratosphere.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
28 Nov. 2025
Verb
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At crucial moments, however, one force surrenders to the other to produce an ambiguous collaboration.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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Dallas has given up the most passing yards in the league, and their secondary surrenders lots of open windows.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That depends on whether a taxpayer files electronically or submits a paper return, as well as whether the IRS identifies any problems with a filing.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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But the work doesn’t end for Lata, even when her state submits its new roll.—
Esha Mitra,
CNN Money,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
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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
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If Prince Andrew gives up his lease, The Crown Estate would need to pay him over $756,000 (£557,595), The Times reports.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Hodak concedes that the biohybrid model poses perils.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
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Rodrik concedes that there is no tried and tested formula to achieve this.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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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
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With her hand over her heart, the pair appear to have a heartfelt moment together, before each of them holds their hands together and bows toward each other in a traditional Thai gesture.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
24 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Knuckles under.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckles%20under. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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