knife 1 of 2

noun

ˈnīf How to pronounce knife (audio)
Definition of knifenext
as in cutter
an instrument with a metal length that has a sharp edge for cutting be careful in using the knife to split open the cardboard box

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

knife

2 of 2

verb

as in to slice

Related Words

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 knife
Noun
Like the sweaters, the belts and knives are intended to be used for decades, Simm said. — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026 Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, until golden and caramelized on the cut side and cooked through and tender; a knife inserted into the center of the potato should slide through easily. — Rachel Gurjar, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
Banks got to speaking about his fear of planes and the many ways that’s knifed at his draft process. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026 Liquid manure in tanks under hog or cattle confinement buildings is pumped to field where it is knifed into the soil. — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for knife
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knife
  1. cutter
  2. slice
  3. blade
  4. thrust
  5. dagger
  6. punch
  7. cut
  8. pike
Noun
  • When Traoré’s speed pulls a defender toward the rim, a cutter can slip behind the help, or a shooter can find daylight on the perimeter.
    — C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 30 Oct. 2026
  • He was fired up after Yandy Diaz missed a cutter to end the fifth.
    — Rob Maaddi, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of cutter
Verb
  • Greece's prime minister rejected a maritime agreement between Libya and Turkey, which slices ownership of part of the eastern Mediterranean Sea between the two countries.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026
  • The Lakers went to sleep in the second quarter and started to get cooked by the Warriors, watching their big lead get sliced to 53-53 at the half.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of slice
Noun
  • Throughout, the scraping of blades and the rumble of natural background sounds all play key roles.
    — Will Tizard, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026
  • While reviewing X-ray images, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers spotted a suspicious object that looked like a cross between Wolverine-style claws and Freddy Krueger blades, officials said.
    — Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of blade
Verb
  • For one day at least, the Thunder looked into the abyss and found hope in the next generation of players who suddenly will be thrust to the forefront.
    — John Hollinger, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Twenty years later, her politics thrust Huerta even more directly in the path of violence.
    — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of thrust
Noun
  • Despite the double-digit lead, TCU failed to deliver the dagger offensively and gave Baylor multiple chances to mount a comeback.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Nik Bonitto stripped wideout Rashid Shaheed in scoring territory, Kris Abrams-Draine pulled down a fourth-quarter interception, and McMillian delivered the dagger in overtime.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of dagger
Verb
  • The Miz pumped his fist twice and punched the air walking off the mound.
    — Rob Maaddi, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The departure of Weil’s M&A chief, Michael Aiello, along with a team of partners, to Cravath last month punched a hole in the firm’s billings and rattled those left behind.
    — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of punch
Verb
  • In a pouch-cell demonstration, the battery continued powering an LED even after being folded and cut.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • At least 15 of the 53 donors who gave money this month had no history of state-level political contributions, and many more hadn’t cut checks in at least a decade.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of cut
Verb
  • While the gold seemed all-but hers, Andrade came up short on her second vault, a comparatively simple Lopez vault, piking down and stepping over the line to incur a neutral deduction.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
  • This works best for larger pike fillets (pike in the 22-inch to 30-inch range).
    — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 15 Sep. 2023
Definition of pike

Browse Nearby Words

knickknacks
knife
knifed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Knife.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knife. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of effrontery

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All