Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for kneel

kneel

[ neel ]

verb (used without object)

, knelt [nelt] or kneeled, kneel·ing.
  1. to go down or rest on the knees or a knee.


noun

  1. the action or position of kneeling.

kneel

/ niːl /

verb

  1. intr to rest, fall, or support oneself on one's knees
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


noun

  1. the act or position of kneeling
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈkneeler, noun
Discover More

Other Words From

  • kneeling·ly adverb
  • un·kneeling adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of kneel1

First recorded before 1000; Middle English knelen, Old English cnēowlian (cognate with Low German knelen, Dutch knielen ). See knee, -le
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of kneel1

Old English cnēowlian; see knee
Discover More

Example Sentences

As he went to kneel, I took a shot at him and [he] jumped in the door.

I kneel with the journalist in the sand, my face stoic and yet terrified, crying, knowing that I can do nothing but wait.

The three who were killed had been forced to kneel in a prayer position while assassins shot each in the forehead.

Or was Giantsbane onto something when he said that Snow will never kneel again?

The nurse then forces him to stand up, kneel down before his father, and address him as “father” thirty times in a row.

The men stand, and the women bring with them little carpets, which they spread before them, and on which they either kneel or sit.

The elephant was made to kneel down, a ladder was placed against his side, and Mr. Law and myself took our places.

Nobody notices you if you kneel down on the road to say your prayer, in spite of the fact that you are blocking the traffic.

He bound the child's eyes with a white cloth, and bade him kneel beside the stone with his face to the east.

The stranger came forward reverently to kneel between the two nuns.

Advertisement

Related Words

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


knee-jerk reflexknee-length