1
as in slaughtering
to kill on a large scale
machine guns mowed down the advancing troops without mercy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in downing
to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall
the crowd rushing in for the sale mowed down the poor clerks standing at the front entrance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mowing (down)
Verb
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After recently slaughtering thousands of peaceful protesters, including shooting protesters in their hospital beds, Iran has been elected by the UN to serve as vice chair of the UN Commission for Social Development.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026 -
During one of her tantrums, Cathy walks by Heathcliff and other hired hands slaughtering a pig, the blood flooding the courtyard of Wuthering Heights.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Kind of like with any sickness, getting to the root of the problem with a medical professional will do more than downing a multitude of hot beverages.—
Sara Kiley Watson,
Popular Science,
26 Feb. 2026
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The Jalisco cartel has built a reputation for spectacular acts of violence, including downing a military helicopter and attempting to assassinate Mexico City’s police chief, so social media posts proclaiming extraordinary cartel brutality are difficult to doubt.—
María Verza,
Twin Cities,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Last weekend, Coastal Carolina beat VCU twice while dropping a decision to Illinois.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
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Bombs will be dropping everywhere.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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Although the Hornets started off struggling behind the 3-point arc against Portland, eventually knocking down 16 of 42 attempts, no team in the league has been on the same plane as Charlotte lately.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Feb. 2026
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Many of the units are small, and rehabilitation will mean extensive work, knocking down walls to create the larger apartments that young families need.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Six Longhorns scored in the first quarter, which ended with Georgia native Bryanna Preston hitting a pull-up jumper at the buzzer.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Feb. 2026
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Everyone’s hitting, banging bodies.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Mowing (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mowing%20%28down%29. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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