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
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Recent Examples of knocking down
South San Joaquin County Fire Authority However, after knocking down the flames, fire officials say crews found a person dead inside the shop.
—
Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Luka Dončić had his way against the Hornets’ defense throughout the night, knocking down five 3-pointers in a 38-point performance.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
Bringing this winner to dinner will leave everyone knocking down your door for more.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
That's not with decoys, that's not with other means that would try to misdirect our interceptors from knocking down incoming missiles with nuclear warheads on them.
—ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
The contestants then had to compete in a physically taxing challenge that involved pushing a heavy cart along a bumpy path, stacking sand bags, climbing ladders, knocking discs off poles, and then finally knocking down four bamboo targets.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
And the autumn Paris weather played nice — just a few gusts knocking down some lamps and a few showers prompting umbrellas to save our gear!
—Greg Palkot, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
But his abrupt reversal sparked outrage amid images of a bulldozer knocking down walls.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The clip shows one feline running in circles with a bag stuck on its head, bumping into the furniture and nearly knocking down the home decor.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Luka Dončić had his way against the Hornets’ defense throughout the night, knocking down five 3-pointers in a 38-point performance.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
Bringing this winner to dinner will leave everyone knocking down your door for more.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
That's not with decoys, that's not with other means that would try to misdirect our interceptors from knocking down incoming missiles with nuclear warheads on them.
—ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
The contestants then had to compete in a physically taxing challenge that involved pushing a heavy cart along a bumpy path, stacking sand bags, climbing ladders, knocking discs off poles, and then finally knocking down four bamboo targets.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
And the autumn Paris weather played nice — just a few gusts knocking down some lamps and a few showers prompting umbrellas to save our gear!
—Greg Palkot, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
But his abrupt reversal sparked outrage amid images of a bulldozer knocking down walls.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The clip shows one feline running in circles with a bag stuck on its head, bumping into the furniture and nearly knocking down the home decor.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocking down
Verb
-
Bregman played his first nine seasons with the Houston Astros, winning World Series titles in 2017 and 2022 — although the first of those yielded a sign-stealing scandal that earned Bregman and his teammates plenty of scorn.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Miami is just 7-15 against teams with a winning record this season.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Many women with natural hair can empathize with the breakage concerns and tediousness that can arise when taking down protective styles.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The Crimson Tide have won each of their five conference matchups, taking down Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Tennessee and South Carolina in consecutive games.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Patriots have won all of those playoff appearances, downing the Chargers in the AFC Divisional Round in 2007 and 2019, while beating the Chargers in the AFC Championship in 2008.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Cathedral Catholic Girls soccer Collecting two goals and two assists while playing smothering defense, the senior led the Dons to a 2-0-1 record in the Excalibur Tournament, downing Huntington Beach Edison 1-0 in the finale.—
Steve Brand,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Permeable pavers allow rainwater to soak into the ground, reducing flood risk, while offering an upscale look.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While many wealthier Americans have enjoyed years of double-digit stock market gains, advancing home prices and rising wages, those earning less have been squeezed by the combination of higher prices, debt and a slowing job market.—
Luciana Lopez,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
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Current court battles include players seeking to play longer, without lower-college seasons counting against their eligibility, and earning NIL money while doing it.—
ANDREW DESTIN,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Trump joined Israel in dismantling Gaza and the Hamas terror network ― a worthy mission ― but then crafted a plan that would put himself in charge of rebuilding and governing the Palestinian territory and commit American troops to keeping order.—
Nolan Finley,
Twin Cities,
9 Jan. 2026
-
From dismantling scientific research institutions in Colorado to increasing our utility rates, his revenge tour will have real impacts on people’s lives, including those who voted for him.—
Meg Froelich,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Packers finished a season that began with Super Bowl hopes by dropping five in a row.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll midseason after blowing a 10-point fourth-quarter lead to the Chicago Bears, a game in which rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart sustained a concussion, dropping them to 2-8.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For women, this meant decreasing intake to about 400 to 600 calories three days per week, while men reduced calories to around 500 to 700.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
9 Jan. 2026
-
An expensive habit with a decreasing ROI.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knocking down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocking%20down. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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