1
as in robbing
to remove valuables from (a place) unlawfully
he knocked over six convenience stores before getting caught
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in downing
to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall
knocked me over trying to get out the door
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of knocking over
The robot was captured on video at the Haidilao location approaching a table before pounding on it, then knocking over utensils and food in front of customers.
—
Isabel Yip, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
Bess finally blurted out, gesticulating and knocking over her glass of wine just as Sam opened a new bottle.
—Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
Coach Travis Steele screamed at the officials at halftime, knocking over a speaker on his way off the court and picking up a technical foul.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
When—and why—laughter works In the study, Sezer and her colleagues ran six experiments involving more than 3,000 participants who read about other people’s embarrassing mishaps, like dramatically knocking over a glass in a restaurant or enthusiastically waving at the wrong person.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
Jascoco The cows stampeded into a neighborhood, knocking over mailboxes, trampling fences, and bumping into cars as they were being chased.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Again, the bots were not always gainly—one viral video showed a humanoid veering off a running track and knocking over a human spectator—but the atmosphere was one of dynamism and experimentation.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The teaser opens with the good boy knocking over and breaking a glass bottle, then peeing on a newspaper declaring Superman’s triumph over Lex Luthor.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025
Attendees could try their hand at knocking over tin cans, throwing lassos and a ring toss.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Isabel Yip, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
Bess finally blurted out, gesticulating and knocking over her glass of wine just as Sam opened a new bottle.
—Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
Coach Travis Steele screamed at the officials at halftime, knocking over a speaker on his way off the court and picking up a technical foul.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
When—and why—laughter works In the study, Sezer and her colleagues ran six experiments involving more than 3,000 participants who read about other people’s embarrassing mishaps, like dramatically knocking over a glass in a restaurant or enthusiastically waving at the wrong person.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
Jascoco The cows stampeded into a neighborhood, knocking over mailboxes, trampling fences, and bumping into cars as they were being chased.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Again, the bots were not always gainly—one viral video showed a humanoid veering off a running track and knocking over a human spectator—but the atmosphere was one of dynamism and experimentation.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The teaser opens with the good boy knocking over and breaking a glass bottle, then peeing on a newspaper declaring Superman’s triumph over Lex Luthor.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025
Attendees could try their hand at knocking over tin cans, throwing lassos and a ring toss.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocking over
Verb
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The film is only interested in portraying Goodman as an unambiguous hero, robbing us of the chance to explore the nuances of a complicated person who has participated in decades of history.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
8 Apr. 2026
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In fact, to not do so would be robbing yourself of the fruits of your past labors.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Russia's defense ministry reported downing 7,347 Ukrainian drones during March, the highest monthly total ever reported by Moscow and an average of 237 craft each day.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
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The Hawks once again took care of business on Friday night, downing the Nets 141-107 at Barclays Center.—
Lauren Williams,
AJC.com,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Shortly after dropping his ailing bid for reelection, Adams embarked on a four-day trip to Albania, meeting with the country’s Prime Minister Edi Rama and members of his Cabinet, along with local business leaders.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
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In addition, a helicopter shot in the teaser sweeps low over Oyster Bay, dropping Miranda and Andy at a sprawling waterfront compound that eagle-eyed viewers—or real estate insiders—may recognize as the former estate of Billy Joel.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Big man Neemias Queta even got in on the action for Boston, knocking down his first career 3 to go along with 10 rebounds.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Acknowledgment can also feel like the bare minimum, but the fight for it grows increasingly urgent when the American President is knocking down public memorials of slavery like tin ducks in a carnival shooting game.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Shannon scored 29 points in the second half, hitting five of seven 3-point shots.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Dodgers hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc said Pages has become one of the team’s most regular users of the Trajekt machine – and Skenes is a frequent visitor.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knocking over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocking%20over. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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