as in exhausted
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness
I'm absolutely knackered, so no pub-crawling for me tonight
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Recent Examples of knackered
Or at least see the knock-on effects on knackered players during the new domestic season?
—
Tim Spiers, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
The bones of knackered cattle in the glue that held his antique books together.
—Daisy Hildyard, The New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2024
And, if their knees get too knackered, there’s a backup Santa.
—Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2021
The adrenaline from having our first child (and keeping him alive) got me through the first several days without feeling completely knackered, but my lack of nocturnal restoration eventually took its toll.
—Patrick Wilson, Outside Online, 15 June 2020
Tim Spiers, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
The bones of knackered cattle in the glue that held his antique books together.
—Daisy Hildyard, The New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2024
And, if their knees get too knackered, there’s a backup Santa.
—Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2021
The adrenaline from having our first child (and keeping him alive) got me through the first several days without feeling completely knackered, but my lack of nocturnal restoration eventually took its toll.
—Patrick Wilson, Outside Online, 15 June 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knackered
Adjective
-
Gaga ended the performance like an exhausted wind-up doll, caged again physically, but never spiritually.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The apparently recent footage showed two hostages -- Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel -- looking gaunt and exhausted while being driven around Gaza City.—
WAFAA SHURAFA,
Arkansas Online,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Susan has lifted us up for 50 years; and her arms have not grown tired.—
Scott Simon,
NPR,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Discard the tired-looking center and separate clumps from the outer edges by hand or use a sharp knife or pruning saw.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knackered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knackered. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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