as in killed
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 knocked out
The goal, Hall’s second of the series, came with less than five minutes left in a wild and physical frame in which Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven knocked out Carolina defenseman Alexander Nikishin with a crushing hit and Ottawa forward Ridly Greig tried to run roughshod on the Canes.
—
Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Now the Kings are on the verge of being knocked out of the playoffs in the first round for the fifth year in a row.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Sanders was drafted by the Browns with the 144th pick in the 2025 draft, and made his debut in Week 11 after the team's other rookie quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, was knocked out of the game with a concussion.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Golden State has missed the playoffs twice in the past three years, losing a play-in game to the Sacramento Kings in 2024 before being knocked out by Suns this season.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
He was knocked out in the second round.
—Brian Cheung, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026
It was then knocked out of the FA Cup quarterfinals by a team from a league below.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
More than 500 million barrels of crude and condensate have been knocked out of the global market — the largest energy supply disruption in modern history, according to Kpler data.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
One can see why wrestling appealed to him—the crowd is everything, the rules mean nothing, and the referees are so feckless that they often get knocked out and everyone laughs.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Now the Kings are on the verge of being knocked out of the playoffs in the first round for the fifth year in a row.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Sanders was drafted by the Browns with the 144th pick in the 2025 draft, and made his debut in Week 11 after the team's other rookie quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, was knocked out of the game with a concussion.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Golden State has missed the playoffs twice in the past three years, losing a play-in game to the Sacramento Kings in 2024 before being knocked out by Suns this season.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026
He was knocked out in the second round.
—Brian Cheung, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026
It was then knocked out of the FA Cup quarterfinals by a team from a league below.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
More than 500 million barrels of crude and condensate have been knocked out of the global market — the largest energy supply disruption in modern history, according to Kpler data.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026
One can see why wrestling appealed to him—the crowd is everything, the rules mean nothing, and the referees are so feckless that they often get knocked out and everyone laughs.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocked out
Verb
-
The assault killed at least seventeen people, including a twelve-year-old boy, wounded dozens, and destroyed buildings.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Berry was taken from a Fort Lauderdale bowling alley, killed and dumped in a Davie canal.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Melania wore a double-breasted crepe suit from American designer Adam Lippes, who also designed her navy-and-ivory ensemble for the president's second inauguration ceremony last year.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Princess Kate, 44, wore a navy coat dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen (her bridal gown designer) with white lapels and a matching navy Jane Taylor hat, completing the look with a poignant poppy pin, navy pumps by Gianvito Rossi and a mini DeMellier handbag.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His opponent pressured him, tired him out and knocked him out.—
Brett Appley,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Plus, their fabric and fill are less likely to accrue that ever-darkening yellowish stain that tired goose down pillows acquire over time, thanks to sweat, oils, lotion residues, etc.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Father Time lost again James was exhausted, his jersey pulled over his head after a fourth-quarter turnover.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
When one physician is exhausted, others compensate.—
Jennifer Obel,
Twin Cities,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On the way to leaving that mark, however, the Mooney Suzuki got burned out.—
Daniel Kohn,
Rolling Stone,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Maybe you’re overworked, burned out or realizing your current system just isn’t sustainable.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Braun drained the shot and pointed at his former Nuggets teammate.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The Lakers were cooked, the playoff magic finally drained from a team without its two leading scorers, a team in the process of making every conceivable mistake, reality bouncing off their feet and ricocheting off their hips and falling out of their hands.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While child stars come and go, washed out at 15 and forgotten at 20, Michael has withstood intense exposure for eight years—a remarkable feat for any performer.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The plant’s leaf segments look washed out, pale green or yellowish.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
By 1986 the party was over, The Police were busted.—
Heather Abbott,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Caught in this scenario is his sport that still needs him, busted parts and all, but would love nothing more than for the focus to be on the great players who are playing its most famous tournament.—
Mac Engel
April 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knocked out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocked%20out. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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