as in wearing
to use up all the physical energy of
the entire staff knocked itself out getting the project finished on time
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Recent Examples of knocking out
In May, a tree fell, knocking out the B&B’s power.
—
Sarah Henry, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Oct. 2025
In 2018, after knocking out the Yankees in the ALDS, the Red Sox blasted the tune.
—The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
The first, of course, came last year, and featured Cleveland knocking out the Tigers in a full-distance best-of-five ALDS.
—Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
And some vaccines are combination shots, knocking out three or four diseases with one injection, such as the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine or the Diphtheria, tetanus, & acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine.
—ArsTechnica, 24 Sep. 2025
The damaging winds uprooted trees and tore roof shingles in neighborhoods around Carmichael, knocking out power to more than 13,000 SMUD customers in Sacramento’s northeast suburbs.
—Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Bugner regained his triple crown — the Euro, Brit and Commonwealth titles — in his next bout, knocking out Richard Dunn in the first round.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2025
Reaching for a portable clothes steamer is my go-to hack for knocking out pesky creases in a flash.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Logic would suggest the pay TV providers may have an easier time knocking out a carriage deal with ESPN than normal because both sides should want to give customers authentication access to the ESPN app as soon as possible.
—Alex Sherman, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025
Sarah Henry, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Oct. 2025
In 2018, after knocking out the Yankees in the ALDS, the Red Sox blasted the tune.
—The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
The first, of course, came last year, and featured Cleveland knocking out the Tigers in a full-distance best-of-five ALDS.
—Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
And some vaccines are combination shots, knocking out three or four diseases with one injection, such as the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine or the Diphtheria, tetanus, & acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine.
—ArsTechnica, 24 Sep. 2025
The damaging winds uprooted trees and tore roof shingles in neighborhoods around Carmichael, knocking out power to more than 13,000 SMUD customers in Sacramento’s northeast suburbs.
—Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Bugner regained his triple crown — the Euro, Brit and Commonwealth titles — in his next bout, knocking out Richard Dunn in the first round.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2025
Reaching for a portable clothes steamer is my go-to hack for knocking out pesky creases in a flash.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Logic would suggest the pay TV providers may have an easier time knocking out a carriage deal with ESPN than normal because both sides should want to give customers authentication access to the ESPN app as soon as possible.
—Alex Sherman, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocking out
Verb
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Like the rest of the staff, Darwent is wearing a Newcastle tracksuit rather than a suit and tie.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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And the combination of four-wheel drive and Michelin Cup 2 R tires delivers so much traction (on dry asphalt, at least) that the car seems to be wearing running spikes.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When Benson was on the ice killing penalties, the Sabres generated two scoring chances and allowed zero.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
But Halfmann suspects this hair-trigger system is needlessly killing brain cells in diseases like Alzheimer's.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Betelgeuse, formally known as Alpha Orionis, will one day end its life in a spectacular supernova explosion upon exhausting the last of its fuel, which could be as bright as the full moon.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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The policy at hand says district employees aren’t allowed to physically restrain a student except in emergency situations when a student’s behavior is immediately dangerous and after exhausting less intrusive alternatives.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This constant barrage overshadows the self-care experience, hijacking my focus and frankly, tiring me out.—
Caelan McMichael,
Allure,
7 Oct. 2025
-
So people shouldn’t swim against the current, which puts them at risk of tiring out.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The full moon in Sagittarius on June 11 reveals where your creative fire may be burning out due to overextension.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Many top performers are burning out not from overwork alone, but from the emotional toll of never feeling allowed to stop striving.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
On sale for $30, this sweatshirt and shorts set is a no-brainer for wearing out and about with sneakers.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
-
This past winter, the overhaul included the loss of Gleyber Torres, who was a two-time All-Star with the Yankees before refusing to move off of second base to accommodate Chisholm and eventually wearing out his welcome in the Bronx.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This October, a full supermoon has graced our skies, washing out the Draconid meteor shower.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
13 Oct. 2025
-
This indicated that some fluid was washing out lutetium from rocks on the asteroid.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The region’s cool climate, long sunny days, and well-draining soils create the ideal conditions for producing crisp, aromatic wines with vibrant fruit flavors.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Oct. 2025
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Parents supporting their children’s tuition can now pursue their own degrees without draining family finances.—
Jason Phillips,
Freep.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knocking out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocking%20out. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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