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
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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
Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
He was dragged roughly 100 yards (90 meters) before he was knocked free, records show.
—Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 29 Dec. 2025
While Sliwa is concerned about Mamdani’s approach to law enforcement, he is notably undisturbed by critics’ biggest knock on the rising Democratic star.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knock
Verb
After being knocked to the floor and missing several minutes, Morris returned and did a little bit of everything.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
He was dragged roughly 100 yards (90 meters) before he was knocked free, records show.
—Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
However, a quick morning Whatsapp message to the front desk resulted in a knock on the door and a hot cup of joe just ten minutes later.
—Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 29 Dec. 2025
While Sliwa is concerned about Mamdani’s approach to law enforcement, he is notably undisturbed by critics’ biggest knock on the rising Democratic star.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock
Verb
-
Bolstering that pair — or, even better, the second pair, and bumping down rookie Axel Sandin-Pellikka to the third — would go a long way toward solidifying the blue line.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Pending toxicology test results in 180 other cases will likely bump the total up more.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Stevens said the loss of Lea’e’s father hit the team hard.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Minnesota guard Cade Tyson hit a game-tying 3-pointer with five seconds left, but Wisconsin counterpart John Blackwell sank a game-winning trey at the buzzer for a 78-75 win at Williams Arena.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Many blame homeless persons for the problem, while others point to professional haulers who use the streets as a place to dump refuse to avoid disposal fees.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Ground beef price spike is blamed on several factors, most prevalent weather and drought.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Additionally, hometown hero and skier Gus Kenworthy acts as host for the entire week, which features events like the blow-out White Party, a drag and burlesque show with both national and local talent, and the Glitter Ball where anything that sparkles is in fashion.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
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George Kittle’s Achilles had popped, a devastating blow to the soul of the roster.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That film starring Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin had the misfortune of opening during the pandemic and going straight to VOD.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Merriam-Webster defines it as the description of someone or something in a state of possibly irreversible misfortune and hardship.—
Brenda Looper,
Washington Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Despite the joy, the project wasn’t without setbacks.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The city’s housing crisis began nearly a century ago during the Great Depression (more than 35 years before the Landmarks Law was even enacted), and has experienced a series of improvements and setbacks with the ebbs and flows of our developing and unpredictable economy.—
Michael S. Hiller,
New York Daily News,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Borregales banged home a 35-yard field to give the home team a 6-3 lead heading into halftime.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
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Then the same crowd saw four more Panthers legends — Jake Delhomme, Muhsin Muhammad, Steve Smith and Wesley Walls — march through the tunnel and bang the drum again before the fourth period.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Five players were booked during their defeat to Cameroon, including Foster, who slapped the linesman’s hand twice and screamed in his face in frustration over a decision.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Mimicking what happened seven years earlier after the Dallas playoff win in Charlotte, the players ran back outside and took a lap around the stadium, slapping hands with delirious home fans.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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