as in sipped
to swallow in liquid form
desperately thirsty, she knocked back an entire glass of water without pausing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of knocked back
There will be interest in him, as there was last summer, when Leeds knocked back at least one bid for the Dutchman.
—
Beren Cross, New York Times, 25 May 2026
But within seconds of being knocked back, the responding officers were back up, checking on each other and evacuating stunned residents — including several children — from the rubble of the home, the video shows.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
Unlike the native predators that are knocked back by drought, swamp eels are already lying in wait as water levels rise, prompting crayfish and other forage fish to repopulate the wetlands.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 12 Mar. 2026
With ghost Rich’s help, the kids sink the dagger into the ground beneath the deadwood, and the Pennywise bird is knocked back onto the ice by a beam of light.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
Next door, at the nearly pitch-black bar Nothing Really Matters, a pair of court officers knocked back tomato martinis as a couple got handsy over pilsners a few seats down.
—The Editors, Curbed, 15 Dec. 2025
Two employees of Kentucky Truck Parts and Service, whose shop is located on the edge of the debris field, told CNN affiliate WLKY they were knocked back by the explosion.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Colts three-time All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson and mates knocked back linemen and linebackers.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025
After 400 that pinnacle drop is the only thing to level you up, and after six months, everyone is getting knocked back down to 200 to do it all over again.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Beren Cross, New York Times, 25 May 2026
But within seconds of being knocked back, the responding officers were back up, checking on each other and evacuating stunned residents — including several children — from the rubble of the home, the video shows.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
Unlike the native predators that are knocked back by drought, swamp eels are already lying in wait as water levels rise, prompting crayfish and other forage fish to repopulate the wetlands.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 12 Mar. 2026
With ghost Rich’s help, the kids sink the dagger into the ground beneath the deadwood, and the Pennywise bird is knocked back onto the ice by a beam of light.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
Next door, at the nearly pitch-black bar Nothing Really Matters, a pair of court officers knocked back tomato martinis as a couple got handsy over pilsners a few seats down.
—The Editors, Curbed, 15 Dec. 2025
Two employees of Kentucky Truck Parts and Service, whose shop is located on the edge of the debris field, told CNN affiliate WLKY they were knocked back by the explosion.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Colts three-time All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson and mates knocked back linemen and linebackers.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025
After 400 that pinnacle drop is the only thing to level you up, and after six months, everyone is getting knocked back down to 200 to do it all over again.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocked back
Verb
-
The right dram can be a fine summer drink though, either long over ice, used in a highball, or simply sipped slowly on a light evening.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
Guests celebrating Giant included American Vogue Editor Chloe Malle as well as theater producers Tom Kirhady, Lucas McMahon, and Greg Nobile, who sipped on wine and champagne and dined on light bites whilst mingling and talking Tony prospects.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Harry Styles bravely drank from a sneaker during an Australian concert in 2023.—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 June 2026
-
The mother and daughter often drank and used marijuana together, investigators found, and communicated almost daily about drinking alcohol.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
That public has continually widened its gullet and gulped.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Many years had passed since Caity Maple, a Sacramento councilmember, gulped down orange juice.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knocked back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocked%20back. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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