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
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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
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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
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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
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Recent Examples of knock
Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 10 Feb. 2026
In the letter to Demacopoulos, the family said Gutiérrez told a friend that her boyfriend punched her and knocked one out.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Matthew Bremner, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
Telehealth companies were first able to sell knock-off weight-loss drugs during a supply shortage a few years ago.
—Jessica Nix, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for knock
Verb
The former is a ring on the bottom of the rock that skids across the ice, and the latter is a band around the sides of the rock that collides with other rocks (ideally knocking an opponent’s rock off the bull’s-eye or nudging your team’s closer to it).
—Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 10 Feb. 2026
In the letter to Demacopoulos, the family said Gutiérrez told a friend that her boyfriend punched her and knocked one out.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
Unraveling the Cons Gary and Dale Snider were in the living room when the knock came.
—Matthew Bremner, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
Telehealth companies were first able to sell knock-off weight-loss drugs during a supply shortage a few years ago.
—Jessica Nix, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for knock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock
Verb
-
There’s an argument to be made that the Panthers should tear up Jackson’s contract and bump his pay.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
There’s a lot of serendipity and people bumping into one another.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Elsewhere, stories of economic gloom – from galloping inflation to restaurant closures and the knock-on impact of severe tax increases – describe the many ways in which the prolonged war in Ukraine is now hitting Russians hard in the pocket at home.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Finally, Kylie Minogue bags another top 40 hit thanks to the release of Tension Tour/Live 2025 (Mushroom Music) on CD and vinyl.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There will be lawyers and billable hours, and blame tossed around.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Alongside Palasciano, speakers assailed the influx of Indian Americans, from accusing them of snatching the American Dream to criticizing their driving skills and even blaming them for traffic.—
Sarah Bahari,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The 6-3 ruling is a major blow to Trump's economic policy agenda.—
Kristin Wright,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2026
-
In another blow for the former prince, the British government is considering formally removing him from the line of succession to the crown.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Based on Dallas’ injury misfortune over the last two seasons, that goal is easier said than done.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Babies are dying, a deluge of rain has destroyed much in its path, and Aya is regarded as the cursed cause of this misfortune.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Sammon previously offered adjustments to the northeast corner of the primary bathroom to provide a larger setback from the neighboring property and a relocated window for more privacy.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Chelsea is just a point shy of the top four and will be determined to avoid another setback after surrendering a two-goal advantage against Leeds in their previous league outing.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some days Dhrubo banged his head against the wall, as though their mother would come and give him her attention.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Griseck is concerned about point guard Gustavo Roca, who banged his knee on a layup and left the game late in the third quarter.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Grahovac was hit on the first pitch of the day, and Sorell slapped a single through right field to give A&M two runners with no outs.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Beware of the word ‘spread’ slapped across anything passing itself off as pimento cheese.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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