knock (about) 1 of 3

verb

Definition of knock (about)next
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

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knockabout

2 of 3

adjective

ˈnäk-ə-ˌbau̇t How to pronounce knockabout (audio)
as in rollicking
being rough or noisy in a high-spirited way a knockabout game of football in the mud

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

knockabout

3 of 3

noun

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

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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)
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)
  1. roam
  2. rollicking
  3. nomad
  4. wander
  5. boisterous
  6. wanderer
  7. drift
  8. lively
Verb
  • The Curiosity rover stumbled on the polygon field while ascending the foothills of a three-mile-high mountain called Mount Sharp, where it’s been roaming since 2014.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 30 July 2026
  • The animals roamed near the Amboseli National Park, which borders a farming and livestock area around 140 miles south of the capital Nairobi, according to the Associated Press.
    — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026
Definition of roam
Adjective
  • 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.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 Apr. 2026
  • Those self-aware lyrics are paired with breezy melody and a gently rollicking rhythm, making this feel like a freewheeling summertime favorite.
    — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of rollicking
Noun
  • View gallery - 7 images With its substantial size and lack of wheels or trailer, the Evergreen XL isn't a good fit for would-be nomads.
    — Adam Williams July 12, New Atlas, 13 July 2026
  • The titular nomad needed, perhaps, an actor with a little more mischief and roguishness to sell his transformation from conman to folk hero (Harrison Ford, 55 at the time, may have been a good alternative).
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 3 July 2026
Definition of nomad
Verb
  • So Frausto wandered around Scripps Park and La Jolla Cove, scouting the area out for wedding spots.
    — Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2026
  • The animal wandered through the house, sniffed a tube of toothpaste in the bathroom and urinated on the floor before leaving.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of wander
Adjective
  • Over six weeks of World Cup play, boisterous watch parties strengthened that claim, helping draw more than 900,000 visits downtown.
    — Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
  • In front of a boisterous Royal Birkdale crowd, the final round of the 2026 Open absolutely delivered.
    — Justin Ray, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of boisterous
Noun
  • This means Stein’s newfound wanderer could be coming or going, either on its way out of or heading into the heart of its galaxy.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 July 2026
  • The casing is scaled to sit comfortably on everything from compact terriers to massive working breeds – a critical bit of design, given how easily a determined wanderer of any size can slip out of sight.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 July 2026
Definition of wanderer
Verb
  • If its multiple drifts back to 30 over the next five years, Apple will need a 5% annual push from a combination of repurchases and earnings expansion just to stay even, to maintain its share price at current levels.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 30 July 2026
  • Mortgage rates are also drifting higher amid concerns that fighting in the Middle East could accelerate inflation, as shipping disruptions in the region push up oil and fuel prices.
    — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Definition of drift
Adjective
  • Players have long complained about less-lively balls that force them to swing harder to hit them through the court.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • The pilot sets up interesting tensions between Duke and surrogate father Kingsley and a livelier adversarial role for Pinnock, but Kingsley is gone for the majority of the six episodes (out of eight) sent to critics and Pinnock’s absence is felt.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026
Definition of lively

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knock (about)
knockabout
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Cite this Entry

“Knock (about).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock%20%28about%29. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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