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
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
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
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Recent Examples of knock (about)
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
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
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)
Verb
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Visitors can hike trails and drive a scenic route through the colorful, rugged Badlands where bison and wild horses roam.
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The age of sail, when pirates like Johnny Depp’s fictional Jack Sparrow roamed the seven seas, ended about 200 years ago.
Adjective
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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.
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Those self-aware lyrics are paired with breezy melody and a gently rollicking rhythm, making this feel like a freewheeling summertime favorite.
Noun
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Gerardo Olivares’ globe-trotting comedy sees various nomads and tribesmen move heaven and earth to watch the final between 2002 World Cup final between Germany and Brazil.
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Who co-living is actually for The stereotype of co-living as a landing pad for laptop-toting nomads no longer holds.
Verb
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Throughout the weekend, someone wandering around Mass MoCA’s campus might have caught excellent mainstage opening acts like Gang of Four (featuring Ted Leo on guitar) or the Breeders, representing two strains of Eighties and Nineties alt/punk rock.
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Most ticks are content to sit and wait for a meal to wander past; lone stars have no patience for that.
Adjective
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Now, Tickle Me Elmo Giggle Max brings back the fun of the original Tickle Me Elmo, but with a bigger size and more ways to activate Elmo's boisterous laughter.
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Some use to it describe the most boisterous group of antagonistic influencers.
Noun
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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.
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Designed to naturally decay over roughly a decade, these statues impress wanderers who seek them out.
Verb
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Yamal was a thorn in Saudi Arabia’s side, drifting infield to unleash shots from distance but also peppering the penalty area with wicked deliveries from the right flank.
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When those models drift or their assumptions fail, errors can scale rapidly.
Adjective
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Vibrant banners will fill the land alongside lively Spanish music.
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On East Passyunk Avenue, Supérette is a lively French wine bar, market and bottle shop where rosé and pastis are enjoyed with snacks like duck prosciutto and raclette sandwiches.
Cite this Entry
“Knock (about).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock%20%28about%29. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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