knap

Definition of knapnext

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 knap And that’s mostly true; Neanderthals in both places used broadly similar techniques to make similar tools: triangular flakes and points, knapped from flint. ArsTechnica, 18 July 2025 If confirmed, our human ancestors started shaping bones by striking them at specific angles in a process known as knapping as much as 1.5 million years ago. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Mar. 2025 Rocks could be knapped, or shaped, into knife blades, spear points, ax heads, and more, allowing hunter-gatherers to take on new prey and use animal remains for clothing and other things. Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024 Our Paleolithic ancestors learned to knap delicate blades from round stone cobbles, hunt large game and cook their food. Herman Pontzer, Scientific American, 12 Dec. 2022 The course was jointly led by Ojibwe elders, who taught him how to knap flint, tan hides and build wigwams. Franz Lidz Meghan Dhaliwal, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2022 Knowing how to make a friction fire, or how to whittle a paddle out of a log, or how to knap stone arrowheads all have their place in a survival situation (particularly fire making). Jim Baird, Field & Stream, 3 Aug. 2020 There was the first time someone knapped and hafted a rock onto a spear shaft, and the first time someone strung up a bow. Tyler Freel, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2020 His hair was unruly and his large, blunt fingers were usually fishing for a cigarette, except when preoccupied with his favourite hobby: knapping prehistoric flint tools. 1843, 20 Feb. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knap
Verb
  • That was until this Dutch upstart with his European aesthetic, lively and colorful stores and eye-popping marketing campaigns began to chisel away at their market share.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 4 May 2026
  • While the fat purple hairs are busy screaming on Bluesky, Danica is out smashing forehands looking chiseled.
    Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Along its spiral arms, bright orange pockets mark areas where new star clusters are forming, carving out glowing bubbles in the surrounding material.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
  • The couple has talked about whether their daughter might one day sing, follow her mom onstage or carve out a completely different path of her own.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • The permanent collection includes more than 1,000 works ranging from painting to sculpture to installations.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
  • Tobolowsky came late to sculpture, at least as a profession.
    Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Las acciones de Google son especialmente insensibles y graves ante el cierre administrativo temporal del gobierno (shutdown), ignorando las peticiones de funcionarios gubernamentales y organizaciones hispanas que les solicitaron mantener la programación de Univision en el paquete principal.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Better yet, the superstar—who recently graved our TV screens on The White Lotus—worked with stylist Brett Alan Nelson to deliver custom outfits for the set.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Line by line, mark by mark, medieval builders figured out how to shape stone and pour light, conjuring complete buildings on parchment before the first rock was hewn.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 23 Apr. 2026
  • His tenure lasted until 1962, during which time he was joined by the notable poet and critic Edwin Denby, whose work hewed rather firmly to criticism.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Kilcher’s likeness was captured in production sketches, sculpted into maquettes and laser-scanned into high-resolution digital models, then distributed across multiple visual effects vendors to render Neytiri’s final appearance, according to the release.
    Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 6 May 2026
  • Her hair was sculpted into a crown-like style using gel.
    Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 5 May 2026
Verb
  • The shutdown has had a massive impact on the finances of Iranians whose businesses rely on internet access and has also effectively cut the people off from the outside world.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 9 May 2026
  • After being cut from the high school team each of his first three years, Sloane piled on some muscle, increased the velocity on his fastball and drew college interest last summer.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Knap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knap. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

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