as in to sip
to swallow in liquid form
desperately thirsty, she knocked back an entire glass of water without pausing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of knock back
The Europeans in attendance were understandably impressed with the amount of bourbon the two were able to knock back.
—
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 20 Dec. 2024
His rescuers were absolutely hammered— knocking back beers, aimlessly touring the storm—but their drunken hearts were in the right place.
—Leath Tonino, Outside Online, 23 Feb. 2017
In Paris, Diana was tricked, by her husband and mine, into knocking back a wineglass that had a dead fly in it.
—Weike Wang, The New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2024
But later, Chiles' score was knocked back down when the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled her appeal was submitted four seconds too late.
—Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for knock back 
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 20 Dec. 2024
His rescuers were absolutely hammered— knocking back beers, aimlessly touring the storm—but their drunken hearts were in the right place.
—Leath Tonino, Outside Online, 23 Feb. 2017
In Paris, Diana was tricked, by her husband and mine, into knocking back a wineglass that had a dead fly in it.
—Weike Wang, The New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2024
But later, Chiles' score was knocked back down when the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled her appeal was submitted four seconds too late.
—Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for knock back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock back
Verb
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Everyone enjoyed dinky hors d’oeuvres and blinis, and sipped on champagne and Tommy’s margaritas with Don Julio.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
16 Feb. 2025
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Dine on seafood and sip local beers in Sandbridge After reeling in a trophy catch and working up an appetite, stop by Margie and Ray’s on the way to Sandbridge Beach.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Baltimore area is seeing changes in its food and drink scene with Fuzzies Burgers partnering with Atlas Restaurant Group, Lost Ark Distilling ending its eight years in business and GameOn in Federal Hill closing in March.—
Matt Hubbard,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Feb. 2025
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Related article Is drinking alcohol bad for your health?—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The detective accepted the dare and gulped down the milk meant for the sergeant’s child, according to court papers.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2025
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Even the most casual sports fan has seen athletes gulping down neon sports drinks on the sidelines and during post-game media interviews, and gels and chews are at every aid station during a race.—
Matthew Kadey,
Outside Online,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near knock back
Cite this Entry
“Knock back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock%20back. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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