as in knockdown
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as in to kayo
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Recent Examples of KO
Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
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
Noun
All matches of the UEFA Women’s Champions League KO Playoffs is streamable on Paramount+.
—Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
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
-
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
-
For now, the world watches as these silicon warriors master the art of the knockout.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The Americans finished group play unbeaten to clinch the second seed in the knockout round.—
Stephen Whyno,
Twin Cities,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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There won't be another Team USA medal in dual moguls after both remaining Americans were knocked out in the quarterfinals.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
15 Feb. 2026
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It’s often described as getting the wind knocked out of you, a knot in the stomach or even trouble sleeping.—
Kyra Dahring,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In a match between the heavyweights Jarrell Miller and Kingsley Ibeh, an uppercut from Ibeh caused Miller’s hairpiece to flap back like the lid on a box.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
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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
Noun
-
Sky backflipped out of Pop Rox and followed up with a roundhouse kick.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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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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But shortly before the World Championships that year, Kayne was diagnosed with a stress fracture in her right knee, and the team was forced to pull out of Worlds.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
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One of the victims was struck in the knee, while the other was shot in the arm and suffered a graze wound to the abdomen, police said.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“KO.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/KO. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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