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
-
But muddy conditions led to slop and chaos, and tired out the front-runners after a very fast opening pace, clearing the way for the closer to do his thing.—
Peter Keating,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
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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
-
Repole is exhausting, but never exhausted.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
But within a few years, they were exhausted from constant touring with occasional bickering.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Gross was reported missing in April 2018; her car was found burned out days later.—
Patrick Damp,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
-
Zoe Zannos was in their final year of school for graphic design and already burned out.—
Emily Bloch,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 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
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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
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The plant’s leaf segments look washed out, pale green or yellowish.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The system has long felt busted and old-fashioned, but a new slate of rules were announced on May 1 that expanded the qualifying rules for the category.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
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Flyers forward Christian Dvorak's celebration hit a little too hard — a cut busted open above his right eye during the victorious on-ice party and blood streamed down his cheek.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knocked out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocked%20out. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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