knock 1 of 2

Definition of knocknext
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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
Jones is considered one of the best UFC fighters of all time, owning a 28-1-1 record, which includes his last bout with Stipe Miocic, knocking him out to take the heavyweight title belt. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Mar. 2026 In addition to Madigan, performers like Austin Abrams, Benedict Wong, and Alden Ehrenreich knock their smaller parts out of the park. Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
My biggest knock against Legoland California has always been that there is never enough for parents to do with their kids at the park. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026 But an Irish knock-on rubbed out a try for Jack Conan, and the second chance was turned over by Mann. ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for knock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock
Verb
  • Even a small push or bump during repairs can send a spacecraft tumbling, making operations risky and difficult to control.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Mar. 2026
  • And yet the Democrat is bumping along near the bottom, a blip in polls and a laggard in the money chase.
    Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The mobile margarita bar in an an old VW van was an Instagram hit - and served a pretty perfect cocktail.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026
  • The Big 12 player of the year hit the game-winner from the right side — while also falling to his right with the Cyclones’ Killyan Toure closely guarding.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • During his sentencing hearing at a Philadelphia courthouse, Seferlis apologized for writing the threatening letters, blaming the actions on his personal outrage over the plight of Palestinians in Gaza, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The conservative leader has blamed some of the violence on neighboring Colombia, accusing its government of not doing enough to stop cartels that operate along the border between both nations.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The final blow came in the 70th minute with Sveindís Jónsdóttir’s run down the left flank, setting up Miahara Niehues, making a late run in the middle, for the finish.
    Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Hot tools are big and bulky, and most hotels provide some sort of blow dryer.
    Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Still, Liverpool’s misfortune was the bigger anomaly here, and the side finishing first would normally expect draw paths closer to Arsenal’s.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Prediction market users make their wartime gambits from someplace comfortable and safe, and hope to hit it big off of someone else's misfortune.
    Scott Simon, NPR, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But economic setbacks pale in comparison to tragic loss of life.
    Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Americans fear outliving their savings as much as any other potential retirement setback, including failing health, according to research from the Transamerica Center.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • And drummer Josh Freese, who returned to Nine Inch Nails last year after Foo Fighters dropped him for NIN’s previous drummer, Ilan Rubin, banged a percussion solo long enough for his bandmates to rush and join him on the main stage.
    Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 12 Mar. 2026
  • With pulsating strobe lights and a head-banging remix to Britney Spears’s Toxic blaring overhead, models stomped out in clothes that could go straight from the runway and into the nearest nightclub.
    Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The administration has also slapped tariffs on some specific products, including steel, lumber, and cars.
    Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026
  • The ingredients aren’t random cocktail names slapped onto standard drinks — they’re built to match the films.
    Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Knock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.

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