knock 1 of 2

Definition of knocknext
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knock

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noun

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of knock
Verb
Taking the pitch to voters That's on the Lyman campaign's mind when volunteers went to knock on doors in Utah County, one of the most populated areas of the district. Saige Miller, NPR, 23 June 2026 The Better Business Bureau is warning residents to watch for high-pressure sales tactics from storm chasers — contractors who knock on doors unannounced in the aftermath of severe weather. Derek James, CBS News, 22 June 2026
Noun
Because of the totes' popularity, knock-off versions are being sold online, leading Trader Joe's to file a lawsuit. Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 15 June 2026 None of this is a knock on the work. Clayton Davis, Variety, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for knock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock
Verb
  • Apple bumped its prices across much of its product lineup today, in some cases adding hundreds of dollars to the cost of a new Macintosh.
    Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 25 June 2026
  • In this case, safe meant a track big enough for two riders to race without bumping into each other.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2026
  • The Iraq goalkeeper didn't make a play on it, as the ball hit the post and bounced away.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • Trump blames vandalism for the troubles with the reflecting pool renovation, announces people are being arrested.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 23 June 2026
  • The logic here is highly questionable — dying for your queen and dying by her hand are not equivalent sacrifices — but let’s blame Lorent’s lapse in judgment on the chaos of the moment.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • Emotionally, militarily, even symbolically, this is a devastating blow to the Black Queen and her cause.
    Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 22 June 2026
  • When Lucerys refuses, Aemond chases Lucerys on his dragon, seemingly meaning to injure him rather than kill him, but his dragon, Vhagar, delivers a fatal blow to Rhaenyra’s son.
    Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • There’s Kimi Antonelli’s sudden rise, which so far seems to be one for the ages, while George Russell’s run of misfortune is certainly captivating.
    Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 23 June 2026
  • The greatest disparity in this year’s group stage, however, came on Tuesday, when Iraq also had the misfortune of facing off with Haaland.
    Madhulika Pathak, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Noun
  • Despite setbacks, Trout remains a superstar, but his comments about Philly appear more reflective than predictive of a move.
    Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
  • But the company’s appeal, particularly in the face of setbacks, is also reliant on a combination of story and Musk’s own image in ways that are not necessarily connected to reality.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • While the cameras were rolling, Spielberg would stand just out of frame with two wooden bats, banging them together to startle her.
    Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2026
  • And on the other hand, there've been some folks who would like to see me out every day, right, banging the drum.
    Mark Guarino, ABC News, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • The parasite has now been discovered in cattle in south Texas and New Mexico, which prompted Canada to slap bans on live cattle from the region.
    Andrew Muhammad, Fortune, 21 June 2026
  • Aranda slapped an outside changeup on a line down the leftfield line, and the ball struck the screen on the fair side of foul pole for a three-run homer.
    Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Knock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

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