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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And the bumbling nature of Lesgate, with Jones playing the internal conflicts sharply, comes with succumbing to the horrid nature of what money can bring.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026 -
In a dramatic departure from the novels, Kay and Dorothy’s father died in an armed robbery, rather than succumbing to leukemia.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tyler Unter threw five scoreless innings before surrendering a pair of runs in the sixth for Santa Margarita.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
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Murakami’s two walks came against Jacob Misiorowski, who struck out 11 while surrendering one run — a leadoff home run by Chase Meidroth — on two hits in five innings.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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People cheered in the moment, but Choi’s coach was worried about her, submitting a DNS (Did Not Start) for her second run.—
Gawon Bae,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
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Most advisors recommend submitting paperwork by November 30 to allow for processing.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Alcantara threw seven strong innings, giving up just one unearned run while striking out five on just 73 pitches.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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After being turned back earlier this month in their latest attempt to overturn California’s rooftop solar rules, three environmental groups aren’t giving up.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Hollywood’s biggest stars gathered in Los Angeles on Sunday to honor some incredible movies and celebrate the power of film, while giving in to the fact that putting the world’s troubles aside, even for a night, is impossible.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
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Why travelers are giving in to fees.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Their rim protection was even worse, conceding 84 points in the paint.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
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Livakovic was the difference maker, keeping Colombia from scoring after conceding a fluke goal early on with four crucial saves.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Environmental groups that have held Toyota up for years as a laggard on EVs offered a much less charitable take, saying the Japanese manufacturer is simply bowing now to their years of pressure to urge them to press the gas on electric cars as the world's largest carmaker.—
Keith Laing,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
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Food is prepared and offered; soju is poured; there’s bowing, candles, a special table and floor mat, and absolutely no shoes.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
21 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Knuckling under.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckling%20under. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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