knack

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun knack differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of knack are aptitude, bent, faculty, genius, gift, and talent. While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance.

the knack of getting along

When can aptitude be used instead of knack?

While in some cases nearly identical to knack, aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it.

a mechanical aptitude

How do bent and aptitude relate to one another, in the sense of knack?

Bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability.

a family with an artistic bent

Where would faculty be a reasonable alternative to knack?

In some situations, the words faculty and knack are roughly equivalent. However, faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function.

a faculty for remembering names

In what contexts can genius take the place of knack?

Although the words genius and knack have much in common, genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability.

has no great genius for poetry

When is it sensible to use gift instead of knack?

The synonyms gift and knack are sometimes interchangeable, but gift often implies special favor by God or nature.

the gift of singing beautifully

When could talent be used to replace knack?

The words talent and knack can be used in similar contexts, but talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed.

has enough talent to succeed

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 knack There's a viral tweet from October 2016 that has since been immortalized as a meme — meant as a kind of shorthand for when someone has a particular knack for avoiding the consequences of their actions. Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025 From Royal Ascot finery to state dinner show-stoppers, the pair share a knack for chic and impeccable dressing. Isaac Bickerstaff, Glamour, 14 June 2025 Stone clearly has a knack for choosing lovely and distinctive names! Clea Haran, Parents, 17 June 2025 The 24-year-old Brazilian’s knack for putting the ball in the net hasn’t yet translated to the international level, with Vini posting only seven goals in 41 appearances for his country, but his popularity in South America is rapidly growing. Justin Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for knack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knack
Noun
  • Barriers lifted in advance, Mellor and his French Resistance passengers hurtled through at 80mph leaving guards little chance of spotting the night-time ruse.
    Iain Macauley, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • The ruse, Smith suggested in her memoir, was employed successfully on at least one occasion.
    Laurie Gwen Shapiro, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • End of the day, this is going to hurt our universities, chase away world- class talent.
    CBS News, CBS News, 29 June 2025
  • Perry values DeRozan’s talent and professionalism — not to mention roster depth — and DeRozan has a reasonable contract.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • This isn't the first time the former Sports Illustrated model has shared parenting tips and tricks.
    Clare Fisher, People.com, 23 June 2025
  • The magic trick is that Sunny gradually learned how to distinguish its POV from the characters’, showing empathy not only for the Gang’s victims, but also the Gang itself.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • Connelly frequently downplayed her reputation and aptitude for knowing how to ask for large donations from important individuals.
    Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
  • Those are two promising indicators of his aptitude for spacing the floor for his high-usage teammates.
    Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • Galeotti said these schemes can increase the national deficit and threaten the long-term viability of health care for seniors, individuals with disabilities and other citizens who need these programs.
    Jenna Sundel Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • And most recycling schemes are still small-scale, unable to keep up with the sheer volume of cheap and short-use clothing flowing through the system.
    Zoe Bayliss Wong, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • This look also continues a growing motif in the rapper’s fashion trajectory: collectible, referential shoes that fuse fashion history with pop culture flair.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 22 June 2025
  • Sixteen new boutique homes in a residential suburb of Sacramento are turning heads for more reasons than their contemporary flair.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • Many of us had to study the changes between models to truly appreciate the brand’s efforts to improve an already beloved device.
    Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 1 July 2025
  • Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices by visiting CyberGuy.com/LockUpYourTech.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Other tax cuts, credits and gifts In addition to extending the tax cuts from the 2017 tax bill, the House version would give people who live in high-tax states such as California, New York and New Jersey a bigger income tax deduction for state and local taxes, known as SALT.
    Jim Sergent, USA Today, 26 June 2025
  • Watching the Miracle on the Hudson landing Terry Billings received tickets as a Father’s Day gift from his son and daughter-in-law.
    Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Knack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knack. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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