1
as in stopping
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
knock it off!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in abandoning
to stop doing (something) permanently
decided it was time to knock off telling fantastic fibs about her family background
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in subtracting
to take away (an amount or number) from a total
a proposal to knock 10 cents off the gasoline tax
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in robbing
to remove valuables from (a place) unlawfully
Bonnie and Clyde coped with the Great Depression by knocking off banks
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in murdering
to put to death deliberately
various assassins have tried to knock off the dictator over the years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of knocking off
Therefore Primate and its promising central character turns more into a typical slasher flick, repeatedly knocking off the swimsuit-wearing teens one by one, his specialty being yanking out jaws and other bloody grossouts.
—
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
Lindsey Barber scored a career-high 21 points as the Dartmouth girls basketball team avenged a loss earlier this season by knocking off New Bedford, 49-41, in a nonleague contest.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
The junior’s reliable outside shooting got the hosts close to knocking off Denton Guyer and Richardson Pearce.
—Ishmael Johnson, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
There were several games to keep an eye on — most notably the Arizona Wildcats knocking off the defending NCAA champion Florida Gators.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
But the Panthers probably weren’t knocking off the Bills regardless of the backfield split, especially with three offensive linemen leaving with injuries.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
Diehn followed in Loftus’ footsteps, knocking off Trivedi in straight sets and only allowing one point overall.
—Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025
But New York’s play has been lethargic since nearly knocking off the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
Lindsey Barber scored a career-high 21 points as the Dartmouth girls basketball team avenged a loss earlier this season by knocking off New Bedford, 49-41, in a nonleague contest.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
The junior’s reliable outside shooting got the hosts close to knocking off Denton Guyer and Richardson Pearce.
—Ishmael Johnson, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
There were several games to keep an eye on — most notably the Arizona Wildcats knocking off the defending NCAA champion Florida Gators.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
But the Panthers probably weren’t knocking off the Bills regardless of the backfield split, especially with three offensive linemen leaving with injuries.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
Diehn followed in Loftus’ footsteps, knocking off Trivedi in straight sets and only allowing one point overall.
—Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025
But New York’s play has been lethargic since nearly knocking off the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocking off
Verb
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The Rhode founder and her stylist Dani Michele delivered a show-stopping moment on the red carpet, pulling a shimmering 2009 Armani Privé gown from the archives.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
10 Jan. 2026
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Stroll through the Funk Zone, stopping at wineries, breweries, and local shops along the way.—
Chantelle Kincy,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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However, that action then sparked outrage among many residents who felt the city was abandoning homeless residents, while also trying to push them to other cities.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
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At the same time, demand for nonalcoholic alternatives has surged — even as most consumers continue to drink alcohol in moderation rather than abandoning it altogether.—
Jason Mastrodonato,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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William also is understood to pay tax on his income, but only after subtracting household expenses, which were not specified in the latest report, People reported.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
31 Dec. 2025
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But, Montreal was able to add Danault without subtracting anyone because the Canadiens had the cap space to do it.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
21 Dec. 2025
Verb
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But Gallagher couldn’t bear robbing the audience — and Marissa — of the satisfaction of his downfall.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
8 Nov. 2025
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In a separate case, a Russian soldier who had been accused of robbing a house in the village of Blystavitsy in the Bucha district of the Kyiv region in March 2022 was found not guilty.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But there is more murdering and banishing to come.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
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The Huntsman centers on an ICU nurse who becomes immersed in a dangerous world after agreeing to help a coma patient accused of murdering six women.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Chargers have been without top tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater because of season-ending ankle and knee injuries, respectively, and tried to make do as best as possible.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
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The team labored in home losses to Houston and the Los Angeles Chargers, with Mahomes ultimately suffering a season-ending ACL injury in the fourth quarter of that setback against the Chargers.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At the same time, layoff activity remained low in November, along with the rate of people quitting their jobs.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
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Those quitting Ozempic, Wegovy and other drugs regained weight four times faster than those using just diet and exercise, still key components in weight maintenance.—
Leo Sands,
Washington Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This would include improvements to training programmes, public information campaigns to raise awareness of reckless driving, and tougher enforcement, including deducting points for more driving offences.—
Will Barker,
TheWeek,
6 Jan. 2026
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Their data for the average transaction prices — that's what a consumer pays after deducting all incentives and trade-in values — for new-vehicles show that those prices are not being driven down.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
USA Today,
12 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knocking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocking%20off. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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