1
as in to bump
to come into usually forceful contact with something
my knee knocked against the table leg when I tried to get up quickly
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to hit
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
threatened to knock him upside the head if he didn't do as he was told
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3
as in to blame
to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of
hey, don't knock it until you've tried it
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
gave the door a good knock
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2
as in misfortune
bad luck or an example of this
getting his college degree was a six year adventure not without its share of knocks along the way
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3
as in setback
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
the geneticist's reputation took a knock when several of his peers were unable to confirm his research findings
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as in to roam
to move about from place to place aimlessly
we knocked about from town to town, looking for work
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as in rollicking
being rough or noisy in a high-spirited way
a knockabout game of football in the mud
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of knock
Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Apr. 2026
The Blazers’ win over Sacramento knocked the Clippers permanently into ninth, removing them from the Spurs’ list of potential first-round foes.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 13 Apr. 2026
Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026
Manuel Fernandes’ goal, created by West Ham’s outstanding talisman Jarrod Bowen, was a warning, a knock on the door before the hosts blew United’s house down.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2017
Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knock
Verb
In the 51st minute of the World Cup quarterfinal match, Maradona, widely acclaimed as one of the world’s best players, scored by using his hand to knock the ball into the goal, an action that is not allowed under association football rules.
—Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Apr. 2026
The Blazers’ win over Sacramento knocked the Clippers permanently into ninth, removing them from the Spurs’ list of potential first-round foes.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
Rodney was told there was a knock on his front door.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026
Manuel Fernandes’ goal, created by West Ham’s outstanding talisman Jarrod Bowen, was a warning, a knock on the door before the hosts blew United’s house down.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for knock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
Academy Award winner Questlove kicks off the 25th Tribeca Festival with the boisterous, decades-spanning story of this legendary American band and its enigmatic founder, Maurice White.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
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Despite their over-the-top reputations, their contributions are less about adding a boisterous EDM drop and more about accentuating Toki’s strengths.—
E.R. Pulgar,
Pitchfork,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But in addition to Cajun, Creole, and soul food institutions, the city continues to welcome new spots serving inventive contemporary Mexican, West African, and Indian cuisines—all which play into the diverse, lively vibe of New Orleans.—
Kate Kassin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
13 Apr. 2026
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Illuminated by fairy lights, the market is small but lively and features several stalls where vendors offer everything from spring rolls, seafood, and meats grilled before your eyes to cocktails, fresh fruit, and desserts.—
Asia London Palomba,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Leo arrived to a raucous welcome in Bamenda, where blasting music from loudspeakers gave the event a concert-like vibe.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The Hornets won one of the biggest home games in franchise history Tuesday night, edging Miami, 127-126, in a raucous, controversial overtime contest played in front of their 16th straight sellout crowd in Charlotte.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
By night, the vibe is more adults-only, with rowdy singalongs at the Observation Deck champagne and piano bar, and sultry jazz vibes taking over the interior Living Room common space.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
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Simpson released the rowdy disco delight Mutiny After Midnight — his second record under his alter ego, Johnny Blue Skies — last month.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the crowd at that rumbustious Democratic Convention in 1896 was a journeyman journalist, L. Frank Baum, who had a number of careers behind him by that time.—
David McWilliams,
Fortune,
16 Nov. 2025
-
Around this time, the outfit’s quirky, lightly rumbustious songs began to resonate across British press and radio; accessible while containing a marked dose of strangeness, Fontaine’s songwriting – at once emotionally raw and witty – boasted a strong multi-generational appeal.—
Sophie Williams,
Billboard,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
In contrast to the Sussex children’s rambunctious backyard egg hunt, the children of Prince William and Princess Catherine spent part of their Easter having to parade to church in front of dozens of cameras, looking buttoned-up in formal suits and coats.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
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If your pet is rambunctious, consider putting them up and waiting to introduce them when the situation is calm, especially if older folks will be showing up.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Customers at Starbucks will be introduced to a new interface with a carnival-style wheel.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA TODAY,
30 Mar. 2023
-
Transform your salad spinner into a carnival-style spin art machine.—
Lauren Piro,
Good Housekeeping,
31 Oct. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Knock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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