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 gypsy
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
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 (about)
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2017
Adjective
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock (about)
Verb
-
Historically, the species roamed throughout much of the Southwest through central Mexico before being nearly eradicated from the wild by the 1970s, largely due to conflicts with the livestock industry.—
Shelby Slade,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
-
The Rhône spills into the wild Camargue delta, where white horses gallop through salt marshes, flamingos strike poses in pink lagoons, and black bulls roam freely beneath the vast Provençal sky.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
Joy’s jazzy, smoky version of the Marvin Gaye classic, coupled with her velvety vocals, sparked another rollicking ovation led by John who was the first to stand up.—
Gail Mitchell,
Billboard,
4 Feb. 2023
-
His setlist, a rollicking walk-down-memory-lane of solo hits, NKOTB favorites, standards, show tunes and cover songs, showcased his range as an entertainer, musical virtuoso and keen collaborator.—
Sonal Dutt,
Peoplemag,
23 Jan. 2023
Verb
-
Each of the eight pet-friendly rooms has a different design, and guests can enjoy nearby restaurants and wander the surrounding Bellaire Court Historic District.—
Caroline Eubanks,
Travel + Leisure,
29 July 2025
-
Last year was the deadliest year recorded for children with autism who wandered, and nearly all in that record died from drowning, according to tracking from the association.—
Darcie Moran,
USA Today,
29 July 2025
Adjective
-
Hulk Hogan, the blond and boisterous body-slammer who brought pro wrestling into the mainstream in the 1980s while becoming one of the most recognizable celebrities of his generation, died Thursday.—
Rhett Bartlett,
HollywoodReporter,
24 July 2025
-
River Rose, more timid at the beginning, follows Clarkson's lead and eventually joins in for a more boisterous performance.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
21 July 2025
Verb
-
As agencies begin translating priorities into rules and funding decisions, implementation could drift into partisan favoritism.—
Paulo Carvão,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
Lionel drifts through Europe in his twenties and thirties, building a new life of profound success and happiness, and experiencing new loves.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
There are a few giant screens playing sports located towards the back of the restaurant, and lively music, either from the house speakers or in-person entertainers, sets the mood for a fun meal.—
Ronny Maye,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
-
At a time when personal expression and wellness are at the heart of home design, this equally grounding and lively shade couldn’t be more timely.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
30 July 2025
Verb
-
Shelling, also known as beachcombing, is strolling along the seashore in search of seashells.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
24 July 2025
-
Outside of the spa, stroll the Lichtentaler Allee, a famous park dotted with sculptures, rose gardens, and Belle Époque architecture.—
Sofia Markovich,
Travel + Leisure,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, from the tail end, a raucous exhaust soundtrack almost borders on egregiously loud.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
When Gavin Adcock finishes one of his raucous sets, the stage is often slick from a rain of beer and littered with cans and water bottles that fans have tossed onstage — though Adcock has thrown plenty of his own drinks into the crowd, too.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knock (about).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock%20%28about%29. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share