knife

noun, often attributive

Save Word

\ ˈnīf

plural knives\ ˈnīvz

Definition of knife

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a cutting instrument consisting of a sharp blade fastened to a handle

b : a weapon or tool resembling a knife

2 : a sharp cutting blade or tool in a machine

3 : surgery sense 4 —usually used in the phrase under the knife

knife

verb

knifed; knifing

Definition of knife (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to use a knife on specifically : to stab, slash, or wound with a knife

2 : to cut, mark, or spread with a knife

3 : to try to defeat by underhanded means

4 : to move like a knife in birds knifing the autumn sky

intransitive verb

: to cut a way with or as if with a knife blade the cruiser knifed through the heavy seas

Other Words from knife Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About knife

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for knife

Synonyms: Noun

blade,
cutter,
shank
[slang],
shiv
[slang]

Examples of knife in a Sentence

Noun Each dinner guest gets two forks, a knife, and a spoon. He pulled a knife on me and threatened to stab me with it. Verb He died after being knifed in the chest. ships knifing through the waves

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun During the fight, the roommate attacked him with a knife. — Tandra Smith | Tsmith@al.com, al, 12 Oct. 2021 State prosecutors decided not to file charges against Sheskey earlier this year after video showed that Blake, who was wanted on a felony warrant, was armed with a knife. — From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 12 Oct. 2021 Graveley said video showed Blake making a motion toward Sheskey with a knife, prompting Sheskey to fire. — BostonGlobe.com, 9 Oct. 2021 The security guard told police he was stabbed one time in the left arm and one time in the forehead with a knife by an unknown man. — NBC News, 9 Oct. 2021 An investigation by the state Department of Justice found Blake, 30, was armed with a knife in the moments that led up to the shooting. — Bruce Vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2021 When Todd arrived home 10 to 20 minutes later, Lawson stabbed him repeatedly with a knife, but Todd wrestled the weapon out of Lawson’s hand and forcefully removed him from the house before finding the bodies and calling 911. — Jeremy Pelzer, cleveland, 7 Oct. 2021 Wallingford police are investigating a robbery Monday at a local convenience store in which a clerk was threatened with a knife and forced to open the cash register. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, courant.com, 6 Oct. 2021 After discharging the aerosol, the man then allegedly charged at the officers with the knife. — Howard Blume Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb This can come in handy when picking off enemies silently, as can ambushing them from behind and knifing them with your switch blade (Ellie has no shivs, the breakable weapons from the prior game). — Washington Post, 1 June 2020 My first snow-speeder of the day! — a hulking Ram pickup knifing in and out of traffic, eager to show off its road-skiing abilities. — cleveland, 8 Feb. 2020 Conner and Samuels touched the ball on all five snaps of a second-quarter drive that ended with Conner taking a flip from Rudolph and knifing his way into the end zone to give the Steelers a 7-3 lead. — Will Graves, orlandosentinel.com, 1 Oct. 2019 Henry continued his second straight late-season surge by knifing into the paint and hitting short shots and forcing OSU’s defense to collapse, on top of an all-around performance at the other end of the floor. — Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, 8 Mar. 2020 Adams is outstanding at attacking his run fits and knifing his way into the backfield to make plays as a blitzer. — John Owning, Dallas News, 27 Jan. 2020 Then the lead was knifed to 10 points on Scott's touchdown. — Rich Exner, cleveland, 3 Dec. 2019 Dombrowski took over for Ben Cherington, who was knifed in the back less than two years after winning the 2013 World Series. — BostonGlobe.com, 26 Oct. 2019 First-and-10 at the Titans 16: Philip Rivers hit Austin Ekeler underneath and the elusive running back knifed the final 12 yards into the end zone. — Dan Wiederer, chicagotribune.com, 25 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'knife.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.