1
as in succumbing
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 surrendering
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 knuckling under
Verb
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The man was pronounced dead at the hospital after succumbing to his injuries, according to police.—
Kelsey Brown,
San Antonio Express-News,
4 Jan. 2026 -
After temporarily succumbing to one of his deeply seductive illusions, the Big Other urges him to stop dreaming.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
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How to Watch Arizona Cardinals vs Dallas Cowboys The Cowboys struggled defensively in their 44-24 road loss to the Denver Broncos last week, surrendering four touchdown passes and 426 yards of offense.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Nov. 2025
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Andrew might not move to Sandringham until after the Christmas holidays, another source said, because giving notice, surrendering the lease and orchestrating the move is expected to take some time.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Then creators are meant to add three to six different toppings (all of which have to already be available on Burger King’s menu) before submitting their innovation.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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If a multihousing complex or office space wants to be built in Oak Lawn, developers try to garner support from the Oak Lawn Committee before submitting zoning or project plans to the city for approval.—
Timia Cobb
Breaking News Reporter,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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No shortcuts, no giving up - just more studying and even more determination.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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Miami’s defense seemed flummoxed, giving up a 35-yard TD pass for the second TD.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For anyone still soaking up the flavors of fresh peaches before giving in to pumpkin spice, check your produce drawer.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
3 Nov. 2025
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Amid all this, censors were sitting on Panahi’s script, only giving in after reformist newspapers took up his cause.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Yet on the road Spurs are the best team in the land, earning 13 points from 15, scoring 12 goals and conceding only three.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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Without conceding much, Washington could stop cross-strait antagonisms from descending further and create room for a better trajectory to emerge.—
STEPHEN WERTHEIM,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Cannes-bowing film, starring Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and set against the backdrop of political arrest in 1993 Nigeria, leads the pack of titles going into this year’s BIFA ceremony with 12 nominations, including best British independent film and director.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
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In Indiana, Republican Governor Mike Braun called a special legislative session for next Monday to weigh redistricting proposals in his state, bowing to a White House pressure campaign.—
Steve Gorman,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Knuckling under.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckling%20under. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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