knock over

verb

knocked over; knocking over; knocks over

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to strike to the ground : fell
(2)
: overwhelm
was knocked over by the news
b
: eliminate
knocked over every difficulty
2
a
: steal
especially : hijack
knocks over a truckload of merchandise J. B. Martin
b
: rob
knocking over a bank

Examples of knock over in a Sentence

he knocked over six convenience stores before getting caught knocked me over trying to get out the door
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This plan seemed to work as Watkins missed shots and showed frustration in the second quarter knocking over Michigan’s Jordan Hobbs picking up her second foul. Allison Smith, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025 Strong winds wreaked havoc across Massachusetts on Friday, knocking over trees and utility poles, causing a slew of power outages and disrupting traffic. Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2025 Amid their fighting, the pair knock over a large fuel tank, and Kreese later takes his cigar and throws it into the fuel, setting off an explosion that destroys the boat and presumably kills them both. Arabella Hau, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025 Philemon, his back to her, is frantically knocking over tables and chairs as his legs turn to wood. Hannah Gold, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for knock over

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1814, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of knock over was circa 1814

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Knock over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knock%20over. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!