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
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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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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
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of knock
Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register, 30 Mar. 2026
The Leo moon tests your ability to lighten up when unexpected pleasures come knocking.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
Zev Fima, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
Texas added two more runs in the bottom half on an error and Carson Tinney's RBI knock.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 15 Mar. 2026
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2017
Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knock
Verb
Police said officers knocked on the apartment door for several minutes before management unlocked it.
—Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register, 30 Mar. 2026
The Leo moon tests your ability to lighten up when unexpected pleasures come knocking.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
That's not a knock on McCormick.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
Texas added two more runs in the bottom half on an error and Carson Tinney's RBI knock.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 15 Mar. 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
-
The heavily partisan Missouri crowd was boisterous and passionate throughout, making the setting feel almost like Mizzou Arena at times.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The Israeli interviewees in Theroux’s documentary are portrayed as boisterous and open about their plans to fully occupy the West Bank and promote Palestinian relocation.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Participants are able to create a schedule for themselves that supports more solo contemplative space or lively group experiences.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
-
South Elgin’s protest was just as lively.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The raucous punk-rockers will release Public Luxury, the follow-up to 2017’s Cost of Living, on June 26, via Sub Pop.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Tiafoe said he was energized by the raucous Miami crowd.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Jeep Wrangler Anvil 715 Concept Of all the 2026 Easter Jeep Safari builds, this has to be the rowdiest.—
Caleb Jacobs,
The Drive,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Caught up in the national fervor that summer, a rowdy group of lawless protesters made their way to Baltimore’s Columbus Piazza.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Mar. 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
-
June is highlighted by a stop on the 30th Anniversary tour of the indelible Thievery Corporation (June 7), rambunctious rock/jam troupe Dogs in a Pile (June 5) and the warm-hug indie folk rock embrace of Blind Pilot and John Craigie (June 20).—
Aaron Davis,
Sacbee.com,
30 Mar. 2026
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And in the nation’s third-largest city, home to one of the most rambunctious celebrations of the holiday, young partygoers were eager to swagger between bars and parties with the drinks, usually dyed kelly green.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 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 2 Apr. 2026.
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