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

These rosy reveries gradually darken as Wilde remembers succumbing to hedonism, deceit, debt, and disgrace.

— Hannah Aizenman, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
At the time, despite receiving rave reviews, the Scottish actor was succumbing to complications from AIDS.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of succumbing

Verb

Dallas got thoroughly embarrassed at home by a winless Buccaneers squad, surrendering 241 rushing yards and making an 0-4 offense look explosive.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, the minivan became shorthand for surrendering to suburban family life.

— Chris Hardesty, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of surrendering

Verb

Some strategists, anticipating that the committee may raise flags, now try to get ahead of the process by submitting additional documentation, including filmmaker quotes and source materials, to explain why a film belongs in its intended category.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
According to Fleming, some people with anorexia have falsified their image using artificial intelligence or by submitting one of a friend or family member instead.

— Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of submitting

Verb

Messick, who grew up going to Rays games at the Trop, took the loss after giving up six hits and three unearned runs in five innings.

— Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Monday was the first time in playoff history that a team's bullpen went over five innings in a postseason game without giving up a baserunner.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of giving up

Verb

Critical response was mixed with even the positive write-ups criticizing Beck for giving in to his most emotionally empty impulses.

— Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
Petersen said at the time that the city was giving in to blackmail from the business community.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of giving in

Verb

In 2025, de Leest was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year after conceding 19 goals in 21 games, including six clean sheets.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 17 Oct. 2026
Hollywood executives at a panel featuring UTA, Gold House, Lionsgate and HYBE saw an opening for Asian talent and stories rooted in specific cultures, while conceding that getting projects funded is still a struggle.

— Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of conceding

Verb

Also bowing is 20th Century Studios’ feature take on Daniel Kraus survival thriller novel Whalefall, with $11M-$12m domestic in 3,000 theaters, and about the same overseas for a $24M WW start on the high end.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
But these four features from Qatar are instead bowing separately as special screenings.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 13 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of knuckling under

verb

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