as in wandering
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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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocking (about)
Verb
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The human brain is highly susceptible to often unproductive mind-wandering, and modern technology has only made the problem worse.—
Harvard Business Review,
Harvard Business Review,
7 Jan. 2026 -
The cafe is known for its panoramic view of small planes taking off or landing but also for past concerns about customers wandering off the driveway into the path of taxiing planes.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Occasionally there would be a rumor of a bear roaming around on the mountain.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
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According to The Animal Foundation, a food delivery driver found Sadie roaming alone near a Family Dollar store in early January and contacted the city's Animal Protection Services, which transferred the dog into their care.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Saudi geopolitical researcher Salman Al-Ansari rejects claims that Riyadh is drifting ideologically or embracing Islamist movements, framing Saudi policy as interest-driven.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
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Arda Guler started the season well, either positioned permanently on the right flank or drifting there from the centre, but is on a run of 19 appearances without a goal or an assist.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While strolling in New York City, Katie Holmes went for a casual vibe in baggy black jeans with a light jacket and a crossbody bag, while Jennifer Garner's pair had a touch of subtle elegance with gold-tone hardware.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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Shuter also reported that, in Aspen, the couple were seen shopping together and holding hands while strolling around the ski town.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When the King visited Greenland in April—looking jaunty and at ease while cruising on a fjord with the Prime Minister, and taking a coffee-and-cake break with locals at a cultural center in Nuuk—the contrast with Vance’s gloomy trip couldn’t have been starker.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
11 Jan. 2026
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Calling on Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm, Wrangell, Rudyerd Bay (Misty Fjords), and, finally, Prince Rupert in British Columbia, the itinerary also includes scenic cruising through Stephens Passage, Decision Passage, Stikine Strait, and the Behm Canal.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Knocking (about).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocking%20%28about%29. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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