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
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Recent Examples of knock (about)
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2017
Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025
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
Noun
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
-
Under Dino Toppmoller, Uzun has evolved from Mario Gotze’s understudy last season into a roaming second striker within a direct, vertical system.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Accompanied by a nonchalant guitar performance, dancer and choreographer Dong Jilan, donning a brown velvet dress and having the same long, wavy hair as Sanmao, woke up from a miniature dune and roamed around the set in a highly spiritual and ceremonial fashion.—
Denni Hu,
Footwear News,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
His lightning guitar work — alongside a mandolinist, fiddler, upright-bassist and banjo player who are not too shabby on their respective strings themselves — delivered a rollicking half-hour that gave the fans in the bleachers plenty to dance to.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
21 Sep. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Sometimes, though, nomads fall in love with a new country and want to stay forever.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Oct. 2025
-
These friends, all Amazigh (Berber) nomads, have embarked on a musical voyage to celebrate their roots and share the richness of their heritage with the world.—
Jake Richardson,
Mercury News,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The latest offering – the Nomads – is designed for folks who like to wander, and can be had with three batteries.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Others let their curiosity get the best of them and wander out into the world through a new hole in the fence.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The team, after all, is 13-1-3 at home this season — and throughout its four-season tenure has a remarkable home record furnished by one of the most beautifully boisterous fanbases in all of MLS.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Oct. 2025
-
My version is joyous chaos, filled with boisterous friends, rarely featuring a turkey, often ending with cake.—
Editors of Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And if the driver starts tailgating or drifting toward your lane, move over or take the next exit.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Oct. 2025
-
And at other points while on the ship, the teens often wound up drifting back to the parents after spending some time without us.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In the evening, the rooftop Art Bar came alive with DJs, creative cocktails, and a lively social atmosphere that catered to generations both young and old.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Both the jitterbug and Lindy Hop (which is often referred to as the granddaddy of the swing era dances) are lively, energetic swing dances that involve quick spins, sharp footwork and pure joy between a pair to a booming live band playing.—
Alexa Stone
Updated October 21,
Kansas City Star,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The lore of the position is passed between players like travelers telling tales at a campfire.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Knowing what weather to expect before hitting the road is essential for travelers, both for planning purposes and safety.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knock (about).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock%20%28about%29. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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