as in to smack
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Recent Examples of kneecap
One provision could require congressional approval for major regulations – effectively kneecapping agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which can impose costly regulations on businesses in the name of protecting the environment and human health.
—
Emily Brooks, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2026
Last year, the administration effectively kneecapped three offices meant to protect the public from misconduct: the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman, and the Immigration Detention Ombudsman.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
Citing that need in an ever-changing industry kneecapped in recent years by one crisis after another may be a bit of a stretch with more than a few of the instabilities — production declines among them — being of the C-suites’ own making.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Dec. 2025
These tariffs threaten to kneecap an emerging sector of innovation around the world, that is, for the first time, using traditional startup strategies and pathways to innovate, scale and grow.
—Nish Acharya, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kneecap
Emily Brooks, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2026
Last year, the administration effectively kneecapped three offices meant to protect the public from misconduct: the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman, and the Immigration Detention Ombudsman.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
Citing that need in an ever-changing industry kneecapped in recent years by one crisis after another may be a bit of a stretch with more than a few of the instabilities — production declines among them — being of the C-suites’ own making.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Dec. 2025
These tariffs threaten to kneecap an emerging sector of innovation around the world, that is, for the first time, using traditional startup strategies and pathways to innovate, scale and grow.
—Nish Acharya, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kneecap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kneecap
Verb
-
That one sits, like, smack in the middle of the park.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Brent Burns set up Landeskog’s one-timer from the high slot on the heels of a strong burst by MacKinnon, who had smacked a one-timer of his own in off the rush following Kempe’s errant pass at the offensive blue line.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In seeing their six-game winning streak halted just before hitting the friendly skies for a four-game road trip that tips off in Phoenix on Sunday, the Hornets (32-32) were victimized by Miami in the fourth quarter.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Byron Buxton was hit by a pitch in the fifth to push the Americans’ lead to 4-1.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When Wondra was removed from his cell and placed on suicide watch, Crimin said, his possessions were boxed up.—
Alex Brizee
March 3,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Mar. 2026
-
This trend rejects rigidity in favor of free-form seating that doesn't box users in and force them into prescribed spots.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If our fates were inscribed in our genetics, why would anyone bother to maintain a skin-care routine, much less go to the trouble of jamming his tongue against the top of his mouth or whacking himself with a hammer?—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Family-friendly attractions abound, from old-school carnival games like ring toss and whack-a-mole to a fun house with mirror mazes and glowing lights.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Throw it on for dinner, layer it over your airport outfit, or belt it over a dress for a completely different silhouette.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Mar. 2026
-
And indeed, the storm also impacted Mars, with the Mars Express and the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) belted with 200 days' worth of radiation in the space of just 64 hours.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The makeup department added scars to Shaynak’s knees and legs to reflect his character’s backstory, but the compression socks Shaynak wore were his own.—
Marah Eakin,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The storm could bring the biggest snowfall to the region since January 2016, when New York City was socked by its worst snowstorm on record.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Kiel grounded out to third base before Sorrell slapped a single to right field, but was caught trying to steal second base.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Itoje was sin-binned in the 64th for illegally slapping the ball in a maul and 13 men were playing Italy's 15.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Reaves injured his arm late in the fourth quarter after stripping the basketball away from Williamson.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Over the course of just one minute, the gunman sailed down the city’s bustling Sixth Street and then exited his car, firing off even more bullets, ultimately killing three people and injuring 13 others before he was fatally shot by police.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kneecap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kneecap. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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