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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Joe Vardon, New York Times, 12 May 2025
The division rivals have matched up once before on Christmas Day, back in 2016, when the Chiefs won 33-10 and knocked the Broncos out of playoff contention in the process.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 12 May 2025
Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
Coogler wrote Remmick as an empathetic and charismatic villain — so much so that IndieWire critic David Ehrlich’s lone knock on the film is that, by design, the darkness of the vampires is more about the fun of being alive than the usual horror movie terror.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knock
Verb
The Pacers’ Pascal Siakam had already knocked Cleveland’s Max Strus to the court from behind, but officials determined the contact was incidental.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 12 May 2025
The division rivals have matched up once before on Christmas Day, back in 2016, when the Chiefs won 33-10 and knocked the Broncos out of playoff contention in the process.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 12 May 2025
Noun
With the bases loaded and one out, the rookie second baseman worked an eight-pitch at-bat for the key knock.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
Coogler wrote Remmick as an empathetic and charismatic villain — so much so that IndieWire critic David Ehrlich’s lone knock on the film is that, by design, the darkness of the vampires is more about the fun of being alive than the usual horror movie terror.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock
Verb
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Highlights include two standout school sequences: one involving a bloody volleyball game, the other a swimming class in which Alpha bumps her head badly and clears the water like the shark in Jaws.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
19 May 2025
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Larson crashed during a practice session at Indianapolis, as his No. 17 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet spun out and bumped into the wall.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Prosecutors say Read deliberately hit O’Keefe, 46, outside the home a fellow cop and left him for dead in a drunken rage.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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Here’s what has changed: The Chiefs separated their project from the Royals’ plans for a new ballpark that asked voters to hit a moving target in April 2024.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 2025
Verb
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According to Reuters, many locals have blamed the sites for creating an unsustainable rental environment, reducing housing supply and making rent unaffordable for locals.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
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As negotiations resume, the costs of economic stagnation are compounding—while the limits of blaming sanctions alone become harder to ignore.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
President Donald Trump has failed to make Ed Martin the permanent U.S. prosecutor for the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., in what is a blow to his administration's goals.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
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The endorsement is also a blow to former Ohio State University football coach and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, who was considering entering the gubernatorial race, as well as Attorney General Dave Yost, who is running to succeed DeWine.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Animals with black fur are adopted less often as people associate the color with bad luck and misfortune, according to an article from Dogster.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Apr. 2025
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As Snow White continues to face controversy and underwhelming box office numbers, Bill Maher is poking fun at the movie’s latest misfortune.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Both those outcomes would be a major setback for those who want to see promotion and relegation at the top level of the American game.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
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Transgender troops The Supreme Court dealt a setback to transgender service members on Tuesday.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
7 May 2025
Verb
-
Protesters thronged the streets, banging pots and pans.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
10 May 2025
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One of Butler’s neighbors shared home surveillance footage with the outlet that shows the three teens going up to Butler’s home and not only ringing the doorbell but banging, kicking and slamming on a garage door.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Honda’s results come amid trade tensions with the U.S., which has slapped a 25% tariff on foreign automobile imports.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
13 May 2025
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Trump has made clear that his shock plans to slap a 100% tariff on film imports would not be included in a trade deal with the UK, where Pryce films Slow Horses.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
11 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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