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

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

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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
  • According to Cal Expo employee Jacoba Felipe, around 10 wild turkeys roam the farm when there are fewer visitors.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
  • In mountain communities like Crestline, where bears regularly roam neighborhoods in search of food, encounters with people are not uncommon, though one wandering into an office building is considerably more unusual.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 23 July 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
  • View gallery - 7 images With its substantial size and lack of wheels or trailer, the Evergreen XL isn't a good fit for would-be nomads.
    — Adam Williams July 12, New Atlas, 13 July 2026
  • The titular nomad needed, perhaps, an actor with a little more mischief and roguishness to sell his transformation from conman to folk hero (Harrison Ford, 55 at the time, may have been a good alternative).
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 3 July 2026
Definition of nomad
Verb
  • So would pianist Jake Shapiro, tickling the ivories as one wandered, to the limited extent one was allowed to wander.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
  • Find one in your area, and wander through blooming gardens, admire landscape design ideas, and enjoy a peaceful afternoon surrounded by nature.
    — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 20 July 2026
Definition of wander
Adjective
  • Over six weeks of World Cup play, boisterous watch parties strengthened that claim, helping draw more than 900,000 visits downtown.
    — Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
  • That includes Ghana, which received a boisterous welcome to KC after arriving here for its Round-of-32 match against Colombia.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026
Definition of boisterous
Noun
  • For the wanderers Saint-Tropez rewards the curious as much as the party crowd—and the best way to explore is entirely on your own terms.
    — Karli Poliziani, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2026
  • Weston loved to ‘embed himself in different cultures’ Weston’s mother, Nancy Higginbotham, described him as an ardent protector of the environment and a wanderer who loved to travel and enjoy nature.
    — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 6 June 2026
Definition of wanderer
Verb
  • Young orcas then gobbled up fish fragments that drifted through the water as their elders tore into what was left of the sunfish’s corpse.
    — Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
  • Gorillas gathered by the gate to their den, and African elephants drifted toward their barn.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 23 July 2026
Definition of drift
Adjective
  • The three-deck sphere (hence, the name sphere class) at the heart of the ship is a lively social hub.
    — Tracey Teo, AJC.com, 23 July 2026
  • Stone-Robb pointed to its cliffs, ocean views, surf breaks, walkable streets, and a lively central market as the likely cause of its popularity, noting that home prices here run lower than in nearby Cascais despite a similar coastal appeal.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 23 July 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 25 Jul. 2026.

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