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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
Police noted that the officer who was knocked to the ground was not injured. Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2025 Later, Millie's parents arrive for lunch and knock on the door, expecting to be greeted by Tim and Millie. Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
That set the table for Abreu, who gave Boston the lead with his RBI knock, and Story provided some insurance with an RBI double to deep center field. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 2 July 2025 Or the opportunity of a lifetime knocks earlier than expected. Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for knock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock
Verb
  • The mission was bumped to Monday, Aug. 11, before it was delayed once again to Tuesday, Aug. 12.
    Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 12 Aug. 2025
  • In April, it was bumped to make space for a portrait capturing the assassination attempt on Trump in Bulter, Pennsylvania, with his face dripping with blood and an American flag in the background.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Gordon, hitting holes hard with his physical running style, sparked the run game in the second half.
    David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Obeid said his own home was hit and demolished by a bombing just one week into the conflict.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Some residents blamed the city, which has owned these buildings for years, for allowing the structures to get run-down.
    Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 9 Aug. 2025
  • At one point, her crankiness about being underappreciated for her domestic efforts is blamed, without irony, on her period.
    Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The expiration of the enhanced subsidies will also deal a major blow to Covered Connecticut, a program that provides no-cost exchange plans to residents who make too much to qualify for Medicaid but still earn 175% or less than the federal poverty level.
    Jenna Carlesso, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The Postal Savings Bank, established in 1911, softened the blow of the Great Depression for millions, before being killed by the big banks in 1967.
    Mark Dimondstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • As everyone knows, the best way to distract from your own sudden misfortune is to laugh at someone else’s.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 22 July 2025
  • Not everyone agrees that the U.K. could benefit from trade misfortunes that befall the EU, whatever the outcome of last-ditch talks between Brussels and Washington.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • Ila Desai faced setbacks when developing Girls Count Too, a math program for fifth-grade girls.
    Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The Blind Horse was originally slated to open in the spring, but the project faced several setbacks with permitting, historical preservation, building code compliance and poor weather that impacted construction.
    Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images More news: Stephen A Smith Goes Off on Wild Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes Take Love apparently tore the ligament after banging his hand on a helmet during a sack.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Eckhardt continued reading her statement while Campbell attempted to stop her several times before banging the gavel.
    Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • Read more: Trump’s penalty threat puts India in a bind over Russian oil Trump has slapped steep tariffs on India.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Some claim the male victim slapped one of the perpetrators before the fight, sparking the beatdown.
    Julia Bonavita , Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Knock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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