as in to roam
to move about from place to place aimlessly
we knocked about from town to town, looking for work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in rollicking
being rough or noisy in a high-spirited way
a knockabout game of football in the mud
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in nomad
a person who roams about without a fixed route or destination
the book is one writer's journey of self-discovery as a restless knockabout
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of knock (about)
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
Though thematically vague, thinly plotted and without a reliably sympathetic soul to cling to, the movie has a mutinous energy and an absurd, knockabout charm; even its violence is more quirky than brutal.
—
Jeannette Catsoulis,
New York Times,
19 Jan. 2017
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
4 June 2026
Seeing a knockabout comedy set outdoors is a whole different barrel of laughs.
—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
This new film is a very black comedy that is also a heist story with some bloody violence, along with a bit of knockabout slapstick and a theme of family bonds.
—
Caryn James,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The style is almost knockabout, with a color palette reminiscent of Coralie Fargeat, but quickly evolves into its own thing with the arrival of Taquin as Margot, a medical student at a nearby hospital.
—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
Though thematically vague, thinly plotted and without a reliably sympathetic soul to cling to, the movie has a mutinous energy and an absurd, knockabout charm; even its violence is more quirky than brutal.
—
Jeannette Catsoulis,
New York Times,
19 Jan. 2017
Noun
But the knockabout violence has the effect of steamrolling the wit.
—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
4 June 2026
Seeing a knockabout comedy set outdoors is a whole different barrel of laughs.
—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
This new film is a very black comedy that is also a heist story with some bloody violence, along with a bit of knockabout slapstick and a theme of family bonds.
—
Caryn James,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock (about)
Verb
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Marguerite Henry's story follows real-life siblings who hope to capture and own one of the wild ponies that roam the Virginia and Maryland coast.
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Young children will appreciate the room to roam, while those who want to people watch couldn't ask for a better spot.
Adjective
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Murphy then appeared on stage to a rollicking standing ovation and made his way to his place at the dais toward the back of the room.
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Those self-aware lyrics are paired with breezy melody and a gently rollicking rhythm, making this feel like a freewheeling summertime favorite.
Noun
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Who co-living is actually for The stereotype of co-living as a landing pad for laptop-toting nomads no longer holds.
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The documents included long and complicated legal or technical language in Chinese, some of which was orally translated into Tibetan during the signing, because many nomads who are heads of households and more than 40 years old can’t read either Chinese or Tibetan.
Verb
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Lightweight, packable flats are an underrated cruise wardrobe MVP, and these Skechers Bobs slip on in a second for everything from casual deck days to wandering the promenade after dinner.
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But people who spend time around livestock — including kids who visit relatives’ ranches, ride at lesson barns or wander the Stockyards on a weekend — should know what an infestation looks like and report anything unusual to a veterinarian.
Adjective
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Now, Tickle Me Elmo Giggle Max brings back the fun of the original Tickle Me Elmo, but with a bigger size and more ways to activate Elmo's boisterous laughter.
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Some use to it describe the most boisterous group of antagonistic influencers.
Noun
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Weston loved to ‘embed himself in different cultures’ Weston’s mother, Nancy Higginbotham, described him as an ardent protector of the environment and a wanderer who loved to travel and enjoy nature.
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Designed to naturally decay over roughly a decade, these statues impress wanderers who seek them out.
Verb
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With tuition rising, many Americans are drifting toward the view that college isn’t worth the expense.
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But the sailboat had drifted into shallow water, and the rescue boat could not reach the vessel.
Adjective
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Similarly, the lively Doyles Irish Pub serves classic pub fare such as wings, a Reuben sandwich, and fish and chips.
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In the evening, Banff’s newest late-night spot, The Dusty Boot Saloon, channels cowboy country motifs through nostalgic saloon energy and a lively dance hall, stage for live music and hidden lounges.
Cite this Entry
“Knock (about).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock%20%28about%29. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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