knock (about) 1 of 3

verb

Definition of knock (about)next
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

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knockabout

2 of 3

adjective

ˈnäk-ə-ˌbau̇t How to pronounce knockabout (audio)
as in rollicking
being rough or noisy in a high-spirited way a knockabout game of football in the mud

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

knockabout

3 of 3

noun

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 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 (about)
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)
  1. roam
  2. rollicking
  3. nomad
  4. wander
  5. boisterous
  6. wanderer
  7. drift
  8. lively
Verb
  • The young mayor has instead focused on labor protection, citing taxi drivers as the main point of concern with allowing robotaxis to roam Manhattan.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • New teams of crisis intervention and community violence prevention workers will soon roam portions of the agency’s Red, Blue and Green rail lines.
    — Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of roam
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
Definition of rollicking
Noun
  • The first season focuses on Kauri, a lifestyle nomad who is leaving Finland once again, but on the night of his departure his van breaks down.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Digital nomad groups do the legwork to ensure a rich cultural experience, provide local support and side trips, introduce you to like-minded travelers, and are more affordable than many tours.
    — Maria Leonard Olsen, Travel + Leisure, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of nomad
Verb
  • Go skiing in Gudauri, trek through Tusheti, or wander in the ancient cave cities of Vardzia and Uplistsikhe.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Kelcee Smith There’s something almost magical about wandering through the collections of a natural history museum.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of wander
Adjective
  • Lake celebrated her win Tuesday night with a small but boisterous watch party at Cliff’s Tavern in midtown Kansas City.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Once a lawyerly panel, a takeover by a trio of conservatives deeply mistrustful of the state’s voting system has turned the board’s once mundane meetings into boisterous events packed with crowds of cheering and jeering activists.
    — Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of boisterous
Noun
  • This means Stein’s newfound wanderer could be coming or going, either on its way out of or heading into the heart of its galaxy.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 July 2026
  • The casing is scaled to sit comfortably on everything from compact terriers to massive working breeds – a critical bit of design, given how easily a determined wanderer of any size can slip out of sight.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 July 2026
Definition of wanderer
Verb
  • If decisions about that work keep drifting toward people at spreadsheet distance from it, the mistakes will not land on them.
    — Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Reilly two-putted for par, and won the match when Cowan's par putt drifted to the right.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of drift
Adjective
  • The sightlines are good and the atmosphere lively, confirming the potential of Plymouth, the biggest city in the country never to have hosted a top-flight football club.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Shipley-Welter remembers when the town was more lively, with open storefronts and a nearby grocery store.
    — Julianna Mejia August 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of lively

Browse Nearby Words

knock
knock (about)
knockabout
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Cite this Entry

“Knock (about).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock%20%28about%29. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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