1
as in to win
to receive as return for effort
she's knocking down a good salary, but she has to work very hard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to take down
to take apart
right after the holidays the stores start to knock down the window displays
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to down
to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall
the overexcited dog knocked the toddler down
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to reduce
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
they'll have to knock down the price of those televisions if they expect to sell any
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in KO
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 knock down
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026
This must have been before her husband knocked down the East Wing (where the first lady's office was located).
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2023
From dilapidated homes selling for little more than a dollar, to ready-to-occupy houses at knockdown prices, there's been a frenzy of competition.
—Silvia Marchetti, CNN, 18 Nov. 2022
Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2025
San Francisco ended that drive with only a field goal, in part because Woolen made a touchdown-saving knockdown on a pass meant for Pearsall on second-and-goal from the 9.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knock down
Verb
After knocking down two free throws, Hunter forced a steal and turned the turnover into a layup.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026
This must have been before her husband knocked down the East Wing (where the first lady's office was located).
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
When the American Civil Liberties Union agreed to represent Collin, a philosophical dispute became a knockdown, drag-out battle.
—Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2023
From dilapidated homes selling for little more than a dollar, to ready-to-occupy houses at knockdown prices, there's been a frenzy of competition.
—Silvia Marchetti, CNN, 18 Nov. 2022
Noun
Naquan Jones had an important tackle-for-loss, stopping a drive, and a knockdown.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2025
San Francisco ended that drive with only a field goal, in part because Woolen made a touchdown-saving knockdown on a pass meant for Pearsall on second-and-goal from the 9.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knock down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock down
Verb
-
Thailand’s largest construction company, which is under investigation for its role in two deadly accidents, won investor approval to restructure its outstanding bonds.—
Anuchit Nguyen,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Penny Weaver is an award-winning journalist who covers crime, law enforcement, court proceedings and more for the River Valley Democrat-Gazette.—
Penny Weaver,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And his two Super Bowls were against the New England Patriots, taking down Belichick and Tom Brady to spoil their perfect 2007 season and the 2011 campaign.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Vestar was born in 1988 during private equity’s first boom, the same year a brash NYC firm known as Kohlberg Kravis & Roberts took down mighty RJR Nabisco for $25 billion ($70 billion in today’s terms), back when deals were called LBOs and dealmakers were known as corporate raiders.—
Hank Tucker,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The storm, a wintry mix of cold rain, sleet and ice, led to road closures, downed poles and trees, and for many, over 24 hours of waiting it out.—
Morayo Ogunbayo,
AJC.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The result broke a seven-game win streak for the Ducks, who downed the Calgary Flames 4-3 in overtime on Sunday.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This comes at a time when there has been talk of reducing the number of PGA tournaments on the calendar.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The cross-border clearing platform could streamline operations, reducing risks in OTC trades that dominate the market.—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The game became more competitive after the first delay, but the Irish couldn’t overcome a litany of mistakes: three interceptions, two lost fumbles, one missed field goal and a handful of dropped passes.—
Tyler James,
Indianapolis Star,
2 May 2020
-
Diffuse impact Problems are likely to range from dropped connections to slow downloads or loss of video feeds.—
Scott Moritz,
Fortune,
8 Mar. 2020
Noun
-
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
Verb
-
Matsumoto earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware and a doctorate in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2015.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Like the Brooks running shoes, these sandals have also earned the APMA Seal of Acceptance.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Residents of Algonquin Manor on Bradley Road saw a notice from We Energies taped to the building's front door in early October, warning that the electricity would be disconnected in a few days because of an unpaid bill.—
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
jsonline.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Finally, if the car is indoors and there is no power available, disconnecting the battery will slow the discharging.—
John Paul,
The Providence Journal,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knock down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock%20down. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
