1
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
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2
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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Recent Examples of knuckle under
Of course, Cruz knuckled under a little while later.
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James Hohmann, Washington Post, 9 July 2024
Miraculously, however, it is told in the voice of a musician, Rainy, a man who refuses to knuckle under and whose tones remain kind and more hopeful than despairing.
—Katherine A. Powers, Washington Post, 22 June 2024
Biden is all too willing to knuckle under both to the environmentalists who want to stop any new conventional-energy development and to the labor bosses who don’t want to see the ports modernized and automated, which might eat into their discretionary funds.
—The Editors, National Review, 23 June 2022
Please do not knuckle under.
—Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, 25 Oct. 2021
His determination to hold on to his dignity, to not knuckle under, marked a pathway for our family to move forward, to expand on what he’d not been allowed to do.
—Deborah Johnson, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Feb. 2023
As noted in this space in 2015, the company required participants in its Times Journeys program — pricey overseas trips guided by Times journalists — to knuckle under to an arbitration clause.
—Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 24 Dec. 2022
Europe’s governing parties can’t knuckle under to Russian blackmail and retain their democratic viability.
—Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, 30 Aug. 2022
His bile aimed at the Sulzberger family stems above all from the paper’s coverage and criticism of him, its refusal to knuckle under.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 21 Dec. 2021
James Hohmann, Washington Post, 9 July 2024
Miraculously, however, it is told in the voice of a musician, Rainy, a man who refuses to knuckle under and whose tones remain kind and more hopeful than despairing.
—Katherine A. Powers, Washington Post, 22 June 2024
Biden is all too willing to knuckle under both to the environmentalists who want to stop any new conventional-energy development and to the labor bosses who don’t want to see the ports modernized and automated, which might eat into their discretionary funds.
—The Editors, National Review, 23 June 2022
Please do not knuckle under.
—Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, 25 Oct. 2021
His determination to hold on to his dignity, to not knuckle under, marked a pathway for our family to move forward, to expand on what he’d not been allowed to do.
—Deborah Johnson, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Feb. 2023
As noted in this space in 2015, the company required participants in its Times Journeys program — pricey overseas trips guided by Times journalists — to knuckle under to an arbitration clause.
—Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 24 Dec. 2022
Europe’s governing parties can’t knuckle under to Russian blackmail and retain their democratic viability.
—Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, 30 Aug. 2022
His bile aimed at the Sulzberger family stems above all from the paper’s coverage and criticism of him, its refusal to knuckle under.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 21 Dec. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knuckle under
Verb
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Local authorities had told Reuters that 143 people have succumbed to the illness since late October.Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
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Both officers were transported to the hospital, where 23-year-old Briese succumbed to his injuries.Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
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According to court documents, Dali, who did not enter a plea during her arraignment, will reside in Philadelphia and must submit to GPS monitoring, a mental health evaluation, and surrender any travel documents.Max Hauptman, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024
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Air National Guard squadron Maryland won’t easily surrender NFL’s Commanders; state pursues D.C.Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Following the settlement, which came just days after U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisette Reid ordered the president-elect and Stephanopoulos to submit to four-hour depositions, ABC News is facing backlash from both sides of the aisle.Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 15 Dec. 2024
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To prepare for the arrival of a guest with disabilities, the line asks for a Special Requirements Information Form to be submitted 45 days prior to embarkation.David Swanson, Travel + Leisure, 14 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Gray declared victory and Duarte conceded late Tuesday as the final votes were tallied.Jared Gans, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2024
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Gray was ahead by 187 votes in the 13th Congressional District when Duarte conceded Tuesday evening — the closest margin in the country.Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego inspire me not to bow before power and corruption even if everyone else does.Gwen Faulkenberry, arkansasonline.com, 12 Dec. 2024
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The six comics will take place over different time periods, with the first issue bowing in March.Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near knuckle under
Cite this Entry
“Knuckle under.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckle%20under. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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