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
Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Apr. 2026
The Blazers’ win over Sacramento knocked the Clippers permanently into ninth, removing them from the Spurs’ list of potential first-round foes.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 13 Apr. 2026
Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026
Manuel Fernandes’ goal, created by West Ham’s outstanding talisman Jarrod Bowen, was a warning, a knock on the door before the hosts blew United’s house down.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for knock
Verb
In the 51st minute of the World Cup quarterfinal match, Maradona, widely acclaimed as one of the world’s best players, scored by using his hand to knock the ball into the goal, an action that is not allowed under association football rules.
—Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Apr. 2026
The Blazers’ win over Sacramento knocked the Clippers permanently into ninth, removing them from the Spurs’ list of potential first-round foes.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
Rodney was told there was a knock on his front door.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026
Manuel Fernandes’ goal, created by West Ham’s outstanding talisman Jarrod Bowen, was a warning, a knock on the door before the hosts blew United’s house down.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for knock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock
Verb
-
Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific recently bumped fuel surcharges by roughly 34% across all routes, while Air India on Monday added up to $280 in fees to some flights.—
Rio Yamat,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Craft Sake Shoten is an intimate, unpretentious place to deepen your sake knowledge while bumping shoulders with incredibly friendly locals.—
Kim Kay,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is expected to hit theaters on May 1.—
Joyann Jeffrey,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
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But Edwards hit a 3-pointer a few seconds later to push the lead to 135-128 and send the home fans streaming toward the exits.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Many Millennials and Gen Zers expressly blame the Boomers for that, accusing them of hoarding wealth, jobs, and power.—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Many housing advocates blamed Wall Street firms buying up homes for a post-pandemic surge in housing costs.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The development marks a blow to Washington’s support for Orban’s reelection and comes after Magyar’s Tisza party was viewed as the favorite to win in the April 12 election, holding a 10-point lead over the ruling Fidesz party, according to Politico’s polling analysis.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Freiburg and Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi received a blow to his knee late in the game and needed support to walk off the field afterward.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Philadelphia singer-songwriter seeks out the mystical potential of quotidian misfortunes in a set of psychedelic-of-center bedroom pop songs.—
Lily Goldberg,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
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Throughout, by the fickle winds of scientific misfortune, mother and son remained waiting — until about two and a half years ago.—
Jason Mast,
STAT,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Our own editors have run the gamut of unexpected setbacks abroad, including getting mugged and pickpocketed, as well as having their passports stolen.—
Michelle Baricevic,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
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That setback, according to those who knew him well, wounded him—and transformed him.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
With the rebound lying in the goal mouth, Malkin was on the spot to bang it home.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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Oregon State, Washington State, New Mexico State, San Jose State and others have expressed interest for the forward who can bang inside, run the floor and hit the mid-range jumper.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In 2024, President Biden slapped China with 100 percent tariffs on its electric vehicles, or EVs.—
Seth Doane,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The extra base mattered when Ramos, 2-for-12 in the Philadelphia series and the first game against the Orioles, slapped a sinker to bring home Ramos.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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