1
as in to bump
to come into usually forceful contact with something
my knee knocked against the table leg when I tried to get up quickly
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to hit
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
threatened to knock him upside the head if he didn't do as he was told
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to blame
to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of
hey, don't knock it until you've tried it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
gave the door a good knock
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in misfortune
bad luck or an example of this
getting his college degree was a six year adventure not without its share of knocks along the way
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in setback
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
the geneticist's reputation took a knock when several of his peers were unable to confirm his research findings
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of knock
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025
The fun-loving entertainment hub doesn't yet have a US product page, but is up for pre-order on Amazon for US$799 (though there is a promo coupon available at time of writing that knocks a few dollars off that ticket price).
—New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025
John Tamny, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
That’s not a knock on any show on Netflix.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knock
Verb
Use a blast from the hose to knock larvae off the plant, says Salom.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025
The fun-loving entertainment hub doesn't yet have a US product page, but is up for pre-order on Amazon for US$799 (though there is a promo coupon available at time of writing that knocks a few dollars off that ticket price).
—New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
That's not a knock on Thirtysomething, or the girl.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
That’s not a knock on any show on Netflix.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock
Verb
-
Steil said the funds to increase the pilot program stipend were previously allocated and have been repurposed to bump it up to $10,000.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
-
High Potential ended its first season by confirming that Morgan’s estranged ex is alive and well, thus bumping the search for Ava’s father to the top of Morgan’s priority list moving forward.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The jeans also have a cropped length that hits right at the ankle and patch pockets that not only look cute, but are also functional.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Denholm is giving interviews to explain the board’s decision to award Musk a pay package that could be worth $1 trillion if the company hits milestones for market capitalization, profits, and vehicle production.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Delta blames a global IT outage last summer for its performance problems.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The author compromises our trust in his appeal — likely unconsciously — by his blaming only one side.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Such a move would not only disrupt the 170 million Americans who use the app but also deal a major blow to the creator economy, which relies heavily on TikTok for income and audience growth.—
Katie Salcius,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Losing wing-back Liberato Cacace — so impressive alongside Callum Doyle down that flank at Millwall a fortnight ago — to injury was a huge blow.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
What horrible family misfortune has Ingelsby cooked up this time?—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
8 Sep. 2025
-
And yet the Dolphins have found a way to remain masters of mediocrity, prolonging the NFL’s longest playoff win drought with a combination of misfortune and missteps.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Jackson faced several setbacks this season but proved her fitness during the 100-meter dash rounds the past two days.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Sunday’s setback, Johnson said, occurred in the same affected area but in a new way.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This prompted an intervention from the speaker, who banged his gavel multiple times.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
When Weimers went on to give up his remaining speaking time for a moment of silence, Vice President Katarina Barley cut him off, sparking desk-banging protests from right-wing lawmakers in the chamber.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ma slapped me and was right to do so.—
Anahid Nersessian,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Trade tensions between Beijing and Washington have been on a rollercoaster ride in 2025, with both sides slapping escalating tariffs on each other.—
AFP,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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