knock

²knock

noun

Definition of KNOCK

1

a : a sharp blow : rap, hit <a loud knock on the door> b (1) : a severe misfortune or hardship (2) : setback, reversal

2

a : a pounding noise b : a sharp repetitive metallic noise caused by abnormal ignition in an automobile engine

3

: a harsh and often petty criticism <the knock on him was that he couldn't handle the pressure>

Examples of KNOCK

1. He gave him a knock on the head.
2. There was a loud knock at the door.
3. She took some knocks early in her career.
4. He likes praise but can't stand the knocks.

First Known Use of KNOCK

14th century

Related to KNOCK

Synonyms: bang, bash, bat, beat, belt, biff, bop, box, buffet, bust, chop, clap, clip, clout, crack, cuff, dab, douse [British], fillip, hack, haymaker, hit, hook, ¹blow, larrup [dialect], lash, lick, pelt, pick, plump, poke, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slug, smack, smash, sock, spank, stinger, stripe, stroke, swat, swipe, switch, thud, thump, thwack, wallop, welt, whack, wham, whop (also whap)

Antonyms: fortune, luck, serendipity

Related Words: counter, counterblow, counterpunch, counterstroke; body blow, hand, kick, knee, left, one-two, rabbit punch, right, right-hander, roundhouse, shiver, sidewinder, sucker punch, swing, uppercut; cruncher, kayo, knockdown, knockout, KO; bastinado (or bastinade), battering, beating, bludgeoning, clobbering, cudgeling (or cudgelling), drubbing, hammering, lambasting, licking, pasting, pounding, pummeling (also pummelling), thrashing; flogging, walloping, whip, whipping

Near Antonyms: break, chance, fluke, godsend, hit, opportunity, strike, stroke, windfall; accomplishment, achievement, success

see all synonyms and antonyms

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