KNUCKLE UNDER Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

knuckle under

verb

Definition of knuckle under

as in to succumb

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

as in to surrender

to yield to the control or power of enemy forces the remote outpost was overrun and forced to knuckle under

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of knuckle under Some owners show their mettle for a spell, then find adequate reason to knuckle under; others have no intention of even pretending to do what is hard or what is right. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 29 May 2026 Everyone, including the media, knuckles under. — Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 24 Feb. 2026 That’s a clear message to others to get in line and knuckle under — or else. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026 How much of this is a bluff designed to get Senate Democrats to knuckle under and vote to reopen the government and how much of this is wishcasting by MAGA? — Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 10 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knuckle under

Verb

Once the veteran players and most of the top seeds vanished from the Canadian Open, succumbing to injury and upset, the stakes of the tournament in Montreal took on a new edge.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
In the film, Bourdain doesn’t succumb as deeply to drugs and other bad habits that the chef owned up to in his writing.

— Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of succumb

Verb

Clubs must submit an interim assessment of their compliance by January 10 each season, followed by a final assessment with supporting evidence by April 30.

— Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477).

— CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of submit

Verb

But keeping their promotion rivals at bay most definitely was, Parkinson’s men conceding 24 times in those dozen games, 16 of which came on Welsh soil.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Now, having finally conceded that modifying normal-size cars doesn't quite work, O'Neal has gone fully custom, having a unique Corvette Z06 built to his specifications by Effortless Motors of Riverside, California.

— Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of concede

Verb

The interactions between the two groups were lovely, as KiiiKiii bowed to their seniors and expressed their admiration to the XG members.

— Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Their complaint states that the combined company will control 30 percent of movies that have earned $100 million-plus at the box office and have been bowed in 3,000 theaters for wide release.

— Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026