variants
or knock-down-and-drag-out
as in fierce
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
the football game was a knock-down, drag-out battle between bitter rivals
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of knock-down, drag-out
The meeting of a pair of programs on the rise was a knock-down, drag-out affair that appeared to have no end in sight.
—
Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
What follows is a knock-down, drag-out brawl reminiscent of Tommy Hearns and Marvin Hagler.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024
This was a knock-down, drag-out fight — the kind of match that would make for excellent watching when Marvel Snap tournaments are up and running.
—Ash Parrish, The Verge, 31 Jan. 2023
Last week’s knock-down, drag-out fight could just be the first of many this session as GOP lawmakers grapple with government spending, the debt ceiling and the situation at the border.
—Dallas News, 10 Jan. 2023
But both performers rode their SNL success to Hollywood superstardom, in turn validating the audience's appetite for inspired silliness and knock-down, drag-out belly-laughs.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2022
As much as the streaming wars can feel like a knock-down, drag-out fight, Amazon can spend time on the ropes because streaming isn’t its core business.
—Angela Watercutter, Wired, 18 Mar. 2022
But rather than a knock-down, drag-out fight to the finish, this series is all about empowerment.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2022
However, leaping in expecting an argument to become a knock-down, drag-out fight isn't the best way to go about your life.
—Tarot Astrologers, chicagotribune.com, 9 Feb. 2022
Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
What follows is a knock-down, drag-out brawl reminiscent of Tommy Hearns and Marvin Hagler.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024
This was a knock-down, drag-out fight — the kind of match that would make for excellent watching when Marvel Snap tournaments are up and running.
—Ash Parrish, The Verge, 31 Jan. 2023
Last week’s knock-down, drag-out fight could just be the first of many this session as GOP lawmakers grapple with government spending, the debt ceiling and the situation at the border.
—Dallas News, 10 Jan. 2023
But both performers rode their SNL success to Hollywood superstardom, in turn validating the audience's appetite for inspired silliness and knock-down, drag-out belly-laughs.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2022
As much as the streaming wars can feel like a knock-down, drag-out fight, Amazon can spend time on the ropes because streaming isn’t its core business.
—Angela Watercutter, Wired, 18 Mar. 2022
But rather than a knock-down, drag-out fight to the finish, this series is all about empowerment.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2022
However, leaping in expecting an argument to become a knock-down, drag-out fight isn't the best way to go about your life.
—Tarot Astrologers, chicagotribune.com, 9 Feb. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock-down, drag-out
Adjective
-
The global war for tech talent, especially AI talent, is already fierce, with some of the biggest companies offering all-star athlete-level salaries for the most desirable candidates, leaving startups struggling to recruit and hold onto talented staff.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
-
In mythology, Mars is the god of war, known for its fierce and combative nature, and this is no exception in astrology.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Brown is particularly known for his roles in violent abolitionist efforts in the Pottawatamie Massacre and the raid on Harpers Ferry, a federal arsenal in West Virginia.—
Christopher Tremoglie,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The 2024 election campaign was Mexico’s most violent in modern history, with more than three dozen candidates assassinated and many others dropping out over threats to their safety.—
Daniel DePetris,
Time,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But now Minnesota has another veteran QB in Carson Wentz to pair with its ferocious defense.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
26 Sep. 2025
-
There have been fewer, but more ferocious hurricanes.—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Substack’s leaderboard filled with anti-Trump voices furious over the silencing of the mainstream media.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Hong Kong — The sight of a multi-colored fireworks exploding in the foothills of the Himalayas has sparked a furious environmental backlash, prompting a local government investigation in China and forcing global outdoor apparel brand Arc’teryx to issue an apology.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Novarupta eruption of 1912 was known as the greatest volcanic eruption of the 20th century.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Located near the Painted Desert in Northern Arizona, Roden Crater is a monumental art installation and observatory created within a volcanic cinder cone by artist James Turrell, who started developing the project in 1977.—
Paula Soria,
AZCentral.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Over eight episodes, the brothers find themselves at the mercy of Mancuso — a former family friend — and his vicious henchmen, and they are forced to confront the emotional scars of growing up with an alcoholic father, who had gambled away his own restaurant.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Sep. 2025
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That vicious cycle spins in states such as California, Illinois, and Texas.—
Jeffrey Selingo,
New Yorker,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knock-down, drag-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock-down%2C%20drag-out. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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