as in sipping
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 knocking back
In 2019, Vanity Fair royal correspondent Katie Nicholl reported that Prince Harry, who was once known for knocking back vodka Red Bull chasers at nightclubs, had adopted a healthier lifestyle thanks to his wife.
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Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocking back
Verb
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Rey laughed and left the deck on the table, sipping on his Kola Champagne.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
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All the Phillies players are left with is the memory of watching the Dodgers’ celebration before sipping beers as the sadness settled.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The first person to stop drinking or vomit was deemed the loser of the challenge, the lawsuit said.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
9 Oct. 2025
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But with each year, the festival began to feel looser, with kids hanging out and drinking, showing up for the party; at moments, women would be dancing barefoot in their brassieres.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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One night Icarius got all his friends together for a wine-tasting party that quickly got out of hand and turned into a wine-gulping party.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
7 Sep. 2025
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The pressure is always on the taker, the player standing, gulping, trying desperately not to unload their lunch onto the turf, preparing to do something theoretically simple — kick the ball into the net from 12 yards with only one opponent able to stop them.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knocking back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocking%20back. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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