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knock

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noun (1)

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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

knock (about)

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verb (2)

knockabout

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adjective

knockabout

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noun (2)

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
Verb
Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons… MEDIA TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE – Charlamagne knocks KJP's book, says 'nobody wants to hear' from person who 'lied' for Biden administration. FOXNews.com, 6 June 2025 His winning streak of eight fights overall ended in July 2024 when Charles Johnson knocked him out. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Noun
There are mothers and fathers, there are children that get these knocks. Elaine Quijano, CBS News, 25 May 2025 That’s no knock on the singing or dancing of the girls, and as a former idol herself, Kyoko Saito as Mai brings in a few performance details that are palpably drawn from a place of personal resonance. Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 22 May 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
  • On Tuesday, the boisterous San Bernardino band Fuerza Regida, uploaded a statement to their 9.1 million followers, sharing support for the Latino community.
    Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
  • The courtyard is anchored by a lush banyan tree, and a resplendent Art Deco dining room and bar encircle the boisterous patrons outdoors.
    Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • The primary bedroom suite mirrors the lively palette of the living room, blending mustard, green, and cobalt in deeply tactile textiles.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 June 2025
  • In one image, Turner was seen kissing the singer's head with his arm around her shoulders, while another showed the couple engaged in a lively chat while laying on the ground.
    Raven Brunner, People.com, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • What To Know Videos on social media showed the group of drag artists walking into the theatre before the show began and being met with raucous applause.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
  • Those are the same rules of force for National Guard troops deployed under Trump's executive order in Los Angeles, where raucous protests have been ongoing.
    Sarah Dean, NBC news, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • But Pavement remade it in their own gloriously ramshackle way, goosing it with new melodies and rowdy band interaction.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 14 June 2025
  • That frothy film put Fort Lauderdale on the spring break map — a rowdy reputation the city has distanced itself from for decades.
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • Although bonded by blood, their approach to the drug game is different: Meech is rambunctious, while Terry is more prudent.
    Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 13 June 2025
  • So filled with the Kool-Aid and just so rambunctious.
    James Grebey, Vulture, 9 June 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

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Cite this Entry

“Knock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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