knuckling under

verb

Definition of knuckling undernext
present participle of knuckle under
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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knuckling under
  1. submitting
  2. surrendering
  3. conceding
  4. bowing
Verb
  • Three of the five were immediately eliminated – Rasmussen's sister, mother, and her close friend –after submitting DNA samples.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2024
  • In addition to vying for adapted screenplay, Focus Features is submitting the film for other prestigious Oscar categories, including best picture, actor for Butler, actress for Comer, and supporting actor for Hardy.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 3 Oct. 2024
Definition of submitting
Verb
  • Oysters like an alkaline bath; the oozing dark mystery of unpurged crawfish; shellfish bubblegum masquerading as mussels; crab legs surrendering meat one toothpick shred at a time; sushi rolls somehow chewy at their core.
    Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 2 Oct. 2024
  • Today, most structures are surrendering back to the natural environment.
    Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 1 Oct. 2024
Definition of surrendering
Verb
  • Musk, who tends to see court fights through to the bitter end rather than conceding, reserved the right to revive his claims.
    Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 1 Oct. 2024
  • The Dolphins defense is conceding a 36% pass success rate to running backs (6th) and will shut down the screens as the Titans are targeting running backs on 27% of passes (2nd-most).
    Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Definition of conceding
Verb
  • Dust and debris can settle inside and damage items, or they can be crushed by bowing boxes stacked on one another.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2024
  • Dust and debris can settle inside and damage items, or they can be crushed by bowing boxes stacked on one another.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2024
Definition of bowing
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near knuckling under

knuckling down (to)

knuckling under

knuckling under (to)

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Cite this Entry

“Knuckling under.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckling%20under. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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