knackered
2 synonyms and 1 antonym for knackered, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Extremely tired or worn out.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Extremely tired or worn out.
“I'm absolutely knackered after that shift.”
Opposites
2. adj
Broken or no longer working.
“We take an old knackered machine out to China and say, 'Copy that, brand new,' and they do.”
How to use knackered
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
British informal slang; not typically used in American English.
Etymology
From "knacker," originally the person who slaughtered worn-out horses — so being "knackered" meant fit only for the knacker's yard, worn out beyond use.
Full origin of knackered →