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
Relevance
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
-
Yet Guardiola has not made his reputation as one of the greatest coaches in history by succumbing to end-of-season pressure.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026 -
Hind's cousin was later killed in another close-range attack, while Hind died several hours later after succumbing to wounds while waiting for help.—
Alexander Durie,
Time,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the aftermath of the shooting, video was posted on social media, and commenters raised concerns about police opening fire on a man who appeared in the video to be surrendering.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Chicagoans like us know something about living alongside violence without surrendering our civic identity.—
Andy Shaw,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The deadline for submitting a bid for either of the two properties will be April 30.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2026
-
That scheme was carried out by submitting false and fraudulent applications for benefits under programs such as the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program and other unemployment insurance programs.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Benjamin Reinhard, 14, won by correctly spelling the word kenosis, which refers to the act of a Christian person voluntarily giving up their personal rights and ambitions and accepting suffering, according to the spelling bee’s definition.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Family members agreed to a conservation easement in 2015, essentially giving up development rights, and have now sold it for preservation under state ownership.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Why travelers are giving in to fees.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Manager Herve Renard led them to an incredible victory over favourites Ivory Coast in the final, despite their opponents not conceding a goal during the entire tournament (Zambia won the trophy on penalties after a 0-0 draw).—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
And if this week has been any indication, the players may be closer to conceding ground than owners.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The company has previously rejected the court’s ruling and the Chinese government has accused Panama’s government of bowing to United States pressure.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
And there was certainly no sign any of the gubernatorial candidates plan to give up, bowing to concerns their large number could divide the Democratic vote and allow a pair of Republicans to slip through and emerge from California’s top-two primary.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Knuckling under.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckling%20under. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
