1
as in winning
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 taking 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 downing
to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall
the overexcited dog knocked the toddler down
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in reducing
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
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 knocking down
The Dodgers’ bullpen has become the problem child at daycare, knocking down the blocks stacked up by other kids.
—
Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025
Building it—the final phase of the project—will likely require knocking down some adjacent apartment buildings and displacing residents.
—D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
The Tumi Alpha 3 Collection International Expandable Carry-on is currently 20 percent off, knocking down its over $1,000 price tag to $819.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2025
Had a stray dog run up the stairs, knocking down the plant?
—Tao Lin, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
The new mall owners opposed Kroger’s plans, which included knocking down the old Sears and building a new grocery store that wasn’t attached to the rest of the mall.
—Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 10 Aug. 2025
Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025
Building it—the final phase of the project—will likely require knocking down some adjacent apartment buildings and displacing residents.
—D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
The Tumi Alpha 3 Collection International Expandable Carry-on is currently 20 percent off, knocking down its over $1,000 price tag to $819.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2025
Had a stray dog run up the stairs, knocking down the plant?
—Tao Lin, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
The new mall owners opposed Kroger’s plans, which included knocking down the old Sears and building a new grocery store that wasn’t attached to the rest of the mall.
—Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocking down
Verb
-
Latin Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Feid, born Salomón Villada Hoyos, is taking his vocal talents to the world of fragrance.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The Grammy-winning rocker and '80s icon has since changed his tune, using his public performances as a musical soapbox to rebuke the president's conduct and policies.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Giants will look to pull off the upset in primetime after nearly taking down Dallas in overtime last week.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
-
The Green Bay Packers had yet another commanding win to begin the new season, taking down the Washington Commanders, 27-18, to start 2-0 on the year.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Jim Lorentz crossed paths with the American Motel in Wheat Ridge many times — whether as a cop hauling out a domestic violence suspect, as a diner downing comfort food in the restaurant or as a guest in the Elvis suite on his wedding night.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Ukraine is also fielding increasing numbers of small interceptor drones which have had considerable success at downing Shaheds.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Other pain- and fever-reducing medications, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, carry risks during pregnancy, and acetaminophen is the only over-the-counter drug approved to treat fevers during pregnancy.—
Dominique Mosbergen,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Miran said that fewer immigrants should free up more housing and lower rental costs, reducing inflationary pressures.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In Gadsden, Pendleton excelled in school, earning top grades and the respect of teachers and classmates alike.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The Red Raiders have a bye week after earning a statement 34-10 win over Utah, which set them up as an early favorite in the Big 12.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After dismantling the lowly Tennessee Titans in Week 3, the Colts will have a tougher matchup in Week 4 on the road against the Los Angeles Rams, who had the defending champs on the ropes last week before Philly staged a late comeback.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The New York Declaration outlines a comprehensive framework for ending Israel’s military operations in Gaza, returning the remaining hostages, dismantling Hamas, and rebuilding the strip and backs these steps with security guarantees and initiatives to boost regional integration.—
SHIRA EFRON,
Foreign Affairs,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Now 30, Kohberger in July pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary in exchange for prosecutors dropping pursuit of the death penalty.—
Darin Oswald,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The actor is booked and busy with multiple projects in the pipeline, which is why season 1 of Chad Powers is dropping with only six episodes.—
Kristen Baldwin,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The gain, however, was short lived, and the write-off percentage started decreasing by 20% annual increments in 2023.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Researchers said despite having a conservation status of least concern, there is evidence that its populations are decreasing.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knocking down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocking%20down. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share