as in knockdown
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as in to kayo
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Recent Examples of KO
Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
And in March, coming after a successful first Bukhara Biennial, the Uzbek capital of Tashkent launches its Centre for Contemporary Arts in a tram depot reimagined by Studio KO, with Tadao Ando’s National Museum of Uzbekistan to follow.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Joshua has had 32 total fights with 28 wins including 25 by KO.
—Peter White, Deadline, 17 Nov. 2025
But generally, most of the Panthers’ KO returns seems to be around the 30.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2025
Then, while sparring one day, Benny found himself on the receiving end of a KO.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
Antonio Clark 95-yard KO return TD.
—Josh Krockey, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
On the feet, Prates is likely more dangerous and more likely to win by KO, but not by a huge margin.
—Brett Appley, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
Johnson owns the head-to-head KO, but Perez just smoked Johnson, giving Van new ammo while setting up future storylines between all three.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
And in March, coming after a successful first Bukhara Biennial, the Uzbek capital of Tashkent launches its Centre for Contemporary Arts in a tram depot reimagined by Studio KO, with Tadao Ando’s National Museum of Uzbekistan to follow.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Joshua has had 32 total fights with 28 wins including 25 by KO.
—Peter White, Deadline, 17 Nov. 2025
But generally, most of the Panthers’ KO returns seems to be around the 30.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2025
Then, while sparring one day, Benny found himself on the receiving end of a KO.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
Antonio Clark 95-yard KO return TD.
—Josh Krockey, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
On the feet, Prates is likely more dangerous and more likely to win by KO, but not by a huge margin.
—Brett Appley, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for KO
Noun
-
Nebraska’s other knockdown shooter is Frager, an even bigger surprise than Sandfort.—
CJ Moore,
New York Times,
27 Jan. 2026
-
This knockdown, drag-out divisional-round battle had been decided, even with 13 minutes still left on the clock.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sucker-punched by surprise storms and kayoed by hurricanes, it has been swamped, splintered and even swept out to sea on nearly a dozen occasions — always to rise from the sand for that next bout with nature.—
Mike Klingaman,
Baltimore Sun,
26 May 2025
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Now the coronavirus, which has kayoed sports across America and forced many minor league teams to furlough workers, could wind up sealing the fate of the Bees, the pride and joy of Burlington, Iowa.—
NBC News,
NBC News,
27 Apr. 2020
Noun
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Four group-stage matches will be played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, along with two knockout round games.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Instead of criss-crossing the country for the group-stage games, teams will advance in the tournament and move progressively closer to the knockout rounds held at the Rose Bowl.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In the women’s event, Czech snowboarder Zuzana Maderova triumphed after teammate and two-time Olympic gold medallist Ester Ledecka was knocked out in the quarterfinals.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Al Hilal impressed at the Club World Cup, drawing 1-1 with Madrid while going unbeaten in the group stage and then knocking out Manchester City 4-3 in the round of 16.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Sensing the YouTuber was finished, Joshua rocked him with a right uppercut early in the sixth.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 Dec. 2025
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The third-year lineman’s rush included a right uppercut through Barton’s right armpit.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Sky backflipped out of Pop Rox and followed up with a roundhouse kick.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Maya Mamushi — one of Sayaka’s Harajuku Stars teammates — put her hands on her hips to film a clip for CNN, and, with blue braids whipping around, unleashed a roundhouse kick inches from our photojournalist’s face.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
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In Latakia, a giant bronze figure was knocked over and then dragged through the streets as people straddled its head like a Jet Ski.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
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Police investigated the scene and found that several shelves were damaged, a couch had more than a dozen puncture wounds, pictures had been knocked over, and a pair of athletic shorts were found on the floor.—
Patrick Damp,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The results point to a future where things like knee braces, exoskeletons, or even joint replacements could be tailored to an individual’s exact joint motion.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
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But, at the start of last season, the 18-year-old suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee and an associated injury to his outer meniscus.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“KO.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/KO. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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