as in sipping
to swallow in liquid form
desperately thirsty, she knocked back an entire glass of water without pausing
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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.
—
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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Snack on a Umm Ali pastry while sipping a karak chai (the local spiced tea, a mix of black tea, cardamom and condensed milk found on every street corner).—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Picture sipping coffee as the sun rises over the Rockies, or gliding past red rock canyons en route to Glacier National Park, all from the comfort of a panoramic observation car.—
Paris Wilson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Galloway is a happy user of both substances, and treats drinking as a pleasure best enjoyed in youth.—
Alexander Nazaryan,
New Yorker,
29 Jan. 2026
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Advice for preventing or treating UTIs has long focused on diet — think cranberry juice, avoiding coffee or drinking more water.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Protostars are messy and dynamic, gulping down material in spurts and fits and ejecting powerful outflows of wind and jets that punch into the surrounding clouds.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
16 Jan. 2026
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The cayenne pepper lingers on the tongue for a full minute after gulping the shot down.—
April Benshosan,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knocking back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocking%20back. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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