KNUCKLING UNDER Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

knuckling under

verb

present participle of knuckle under

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

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as in surrendering

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 Synonyms for knuckling under

Verb

Suspicions that the festival was succumbing to fascist influences actually led to the establishment of the Cannes Film Festival as an alternative after the 1938 edition.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
The Liberty’s deficit stayed in double figures while succumbing to the pressure of Golden State’s small lineups.

— Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of succumbing

Verb

Overall, Lomon pitched 16 2/3 innings, surrendering 24 hits and eight walks while recording seven strikeouts in his career.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Leaving is sometimes necessary, but far more often the harder and healthier work is learning how to stay connected to imperfect people without surrendering ourselves, or trying to control them.

— David H. Rosmarin, Time, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of surrendering

Verb

This can complicate the pre-approval and formal approval process for buyers without access to technology or who aren’t comfortable submitting sensitive documents online.

— Dan Simms, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
The following month, Marcus and Bakhitar made another strategic decision based on their network's advice, submitting applications to sell pickles at Erewhon and Whole Foods despite barely having any history as a business.

— Megan Sauer, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of submitting

Verb

Wild finds a group of mostly early 20-somethings toasting to causing trouble and giving in to their desires as the youngest member, Yoonchae Jeung, turns 18.

— Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026
In a way, the fuss around Clark and Cunningham shows that giving in to the social-media comments section isn’t the answer.

— Jemele Hill, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of giving in

Verb

Dudley has also produced three assists and can look forward to fixtures against high-conceding teams like Chicago and Louisville in September.

— Karan Lodha, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
The Bulls got on the scoreboard straight after halftime, ending New Zealand's streak without conceding at 124 minutes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of conceding

Verb

At Night will have a North American premiere in Toronto after bowing in Locarno.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2026
Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation on Saturday, bowing to mounting pressure after tens of thousands of students and supporters took to the streets demanding his removal and sweeping reforms to India’s examination system.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Definition of bowing

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“Knuckling under.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knuckling%20under. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of knuckling under

verb

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