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)
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
-
With far less hair, Ella’s green eyes seemed greener, like those of the feral black cats that roamed their hamlet, meowing for table scraps, which were often given without hesitation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 June 2026
-
Mesalands Dinosaur Museum in Tucumcari, New Mexico Part of Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari, New Mexico, the Dinosaur Museum and Natural Science Laboratory offers a look at the mighty creatures that once roamed the area during the Mesozoic era.—
Elizabeth Rhodes,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2026
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
Noun
-
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.—
Sanggay Tashi,
The Conversation,
11 June 2026
-
References to nomads of the Kazakh steppe and local symbolism abound in the label, as seen in the heavy glass bottles recalling nomads’ flasks and decorated with handmade pendants in the form of old coins engraved with the emblem of each fragrance.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
On our lunch break, we were given time to wander Paris and observe the city through the lens of our story.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
-
For something more unexpected, wander through Philadelphia's Magic Gardens or seek out the city’s iconic murals, part of one of the largest public art programs in the country.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
Kirke plays Delphine Barlow, Alice’s (Condon) recently widowed older sister, a confident, boisterous presence with the ability to make every conversation about herself.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
-
Those will be out in abundance during the June 26 match and the typically boisterous parades just outside the stadium.—
Andrew Destin,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
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.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
6 June 2026
-
Designed to naturally decay over roughly a decade, these statues impress wanderers who seek them out.—
Kristy Tolley,
Travel + Leisure,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
In the summer, Akagawa lives full time at his second home in the woods by Rikuzentakata, the drifting post visible from his windows.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
-
Essential oils release tiny molecules that drift into the nose, where olfactory receptors pick them up and pass signals along the olfactory nerve.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
The ranch saloon sits across from the open yard—and around the corner and up a hill of long yellow grass is the outdoor rodeo arena, home to lively summer rodeos every week in the summer season.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
-
Baltimore is best known for its maritime history and lively harbor, with plenty to see and do, from the National Aquarium to the cobblestone streets and waterfront views of Fell's Point.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knock (about).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock%20%28about%29. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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