Contend and Knuckle under

Opposite meaning terms

Contend verb - To engage in a contest.

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Knuckle under is an antonym for contend.

Knuckle under verb - To cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control).

Usage example: encouraged her to stand firm and not knuckle under to political pressure

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Contend is an antonym for knuckle under.

Cite this Source

Knuckle under and Contend. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 14, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/contend/knuckle_under

Contend & Knuckle under. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/contend/knuckle_under>.

Knuckle under or Contend. 2016. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/contend/knuckle_under.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "contend" and "knuckle under" have occurred on timeline