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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 May 2025
As Gilgeous-Alexander picked up the ball to attempt a pass, Gobert knocked it away, picked it up and went down the floor in transition.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 25 May 2025
Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2025
Suryavanshi's historic knock came at a critical point in the Rajasthan Royals' campaign.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2017
See All Example Sentences for knock
Verb
This year, Sprite knocked Pepsi out of the top three spots on the list.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 May 2025
As Gilgeous-Alexander picked up the ball to attempt a pass, Gobert knocked it away, picked it up and went down the floor in transition.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 25 May 2025
Noun
Officers responded to the apartment but left when their knocks went unanswered, the newspaper reported.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2025
Suryavanshi's historic knock came at a critical point in the Rajasthan Royals' campaign.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 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
See All Example Sentences for knock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock
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
Adjective
-
Even amid the more boisterous parts of the track, the speakers pick out the subtleties.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
27 May 2025
-
Elizabeth is friendly and warm, but not as boisterous as Olivia.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
26 May 2025
Adjective
-
Thus began a lively rivalry with Lee, who quickly learned Clemens possesses a killer serve.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
-
In lieu of bunking in the 4,000-square-foot Lord House, built in 1962 just off of Mulholland Drive, rent it out by the hour and host a lively pool party.—
Kristine Hansen,
Architectural Digest,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
While generating political polemics, Sunday’s vote has not triggered the raucous street rallies that generally accompany Mexican balloting.—
Patrick J. McDonnell,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2025
-
That 2-1 defeat was a stinger — Tōko Koga’s decisive goal in the 50th minute hushed an otherwise raucous San Diego crowd.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
Lexington brought tenacity, composure and high-level play from the opening serve, trading thunderous kills, eye-opening defense, and long rallies throughout in front of a rowdy crowd fit for state tournament game.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
20 May 2025
-
Sørensen said his team is aware of the rowdy, sometimes absurd comment sections.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
Set 60-90 minutes aside—without those rambunctious kids around and with your favorite deliberative beverage—and tell your personal money stories to one another.—
Tim Maurer,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
-
The reality star, 19, became an early rising star for her quippy one-liners and rambunctious persona on TLC's Toddlers & Tiaras.—
Esther Kang,
People.com,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
Customers at Starbucks will be introduced to a new interface with a carnival-style wheel.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA TODAY,
30 Mar. 2023
-
The Square has spooky carnival-style games.—
Annie Alleman,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Sep. 2022
Adjective
-
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
-
The movie is both exquisite and rumbustious, stylized and energized.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
5 May 2022
Cite this Entry
“Knock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share