as in wears
to use up all the physical energy of
the entire staff knocked itself out getting the project finished on time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of knocks out
Members of the Orange County Amateur Radio Club spent the weekend camped out on a Huntington Beach middle school soccer field, practicing various ways the ham radio operators will help in an earthquake, fire or other disaster that knocks out communications.
—
Heather McRea, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
But will any of that matter come January if Kansas City once again knocks out Buffalo?
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
As Stahl said, anytime there’s a reckless driver, the emergency pipeline collapses and knocks out water flow to the entire area.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Heather McRea, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
But will any of that matter come January if Kansas City once again knocks out Buffalo?
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
As Stahl said, anytime there’s a reckless driver, the emergency pipeline collapses and knocks out water flow to the entire area.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocks out
Verb
-
Edmund wears Nike Air Jordans in the same shade of siren red and is pictured on one knee in front of an elaborate altar of red and pink roses and candles.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
It should be noted that Ruffalo’s detective is unkempt in direct proportion to the way Hemsworth wears a tailored black suit.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The virus spreads to a glioblastoma cell, kills it, and then makes a copy of itself that spreads again to another glioblastoma cell.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
-
They're also usually eaten without cooking, a process that kills said bacteria.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Additional motorsport-style heave dampers act to suppress squat and dive, giving the bespoke Pirelli Trofeo R tires a fighting chance of relaying 1,257 ft lbs of torque to the road.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
But freedom of expression is a constant pursuit, as natural as breathing, and silencing it is an imperfect practice that exhausts the oppressor and energizes the oppressed.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Gauff’s movement often exhausts her opponents.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When the candle burns out, upcycle the elegant blue jar into a seashell or trinket holder to keep the beachy vibes going.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Throughout 2025, numerous players spoke about the impact of a schedule that wears out their minds and their bodies.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2026
-
In high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms, cheap hardware wears out fast.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Use a good quality potting mix that drains well in the container.—
Sheryl Geerts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Make sure to empty any excess water that drains into the saucer to keep the roots from getting soggy.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knocks out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocks%20out. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
