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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 (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
  • Even so, an Associated Press photographer on Thursday saw migrants still roaming the streets.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Rammagerðin Skip the puffin shops (what the locals call the run-of-the-mill souvenir stops) and set aside some time to roam around one of Rammagerðin’s locations—my favorite is tucked into Harpa, the opera house designed by Olafur Eliasson.
    — Erika Owen, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 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
  • Now, in 2026, for just 10,000 won (US$7), adults can wander the derelict site.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The scene was strikingly low-key, almost at odds with the life-altering decision many of the teenagers wandering past his table were weighing.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of wander
Adjective
  • There was no music and no hustle and bustle in Inwood on Sunday; just the sound of barricades being laid out in the normally boisterous neighborhood.
    — Kristie Keleshian, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The players were much bigger than Nikolich was at the time, the crowd was boisterous and the lights were exceedingly bright.
    — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of boisterous
Noun
  • My eight women are divided into wanderers, rebels, explorers, and mentors.
    — Anne E. Fernald, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The constant wanderer’s favorite place to jet off to is Italy, especially Rome, which inspired the name of her 4-year-old daughter.
    — Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of wanderer
Verb
  • Then Sánchez’s eyes drifted up, his feet stumbled to a stop, and the ball bounced feet away from him on the turf.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Previously, the state Department of Agriculture interpreted that to mean that outdoor growing was prohibited, citing concerns over security and agricultural pesticides drifting into marijuana crops.
    — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of drift
Adjective
  • Back at the hotel, rotating art, live performances, wellness programming, and seasonal events keep things lively.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026
  • People have flocked there from California, Washington and Oregon, taking advantage of Boise's lower cost of living, relatively mild winters, and lively outdoor scene.
    — CJ Haddad,Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of lively

Browse Nearby Words

knock
knock (about)
knockabout
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Knock (about).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock%20%28about%29. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All