Word: Kneel

Pronunciation

/niːl/

Definitions

• Verb: To lower one’s body onto one or both knees, typically as an act of respect, worship, or submission.

Example sentences:

• Verb: “The knight knelt before the queen to receive his accolade.”
• “The congregation knelt in prayer during the service.”
• “As a sign of protest, the players took a knee before the game began.”

Phrases

• “Kneel down”: To assume a kneeling position from a standing one.
• “To make someone kneel”: To force or compel someone to kneel, often as a show of authority or power.
• “Take a knee”: This idiomatic expression can refer to either taking a break or, more recently, a form of silent protest against social injustice by athletes who kneel during the national anthem.

Example Sentences

• Verb: “She knelt by the riverbank to fill her water jug.”
• “He asked his girlfriend to kneel down so he could propose.”
• “They all knelt in silence to honor the fallen soldiers.”

Synonyms

• Bow (in certain contexts)
• Prostrate oneself
• Bend the knee
• Go down on one’s knees
• Assume a kneeling posture