1
as in bumps
to come into usually forceful contact with something
my knee knocked against the table leg when I tried to get up quickly
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hits
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
threatened to knock him upside the head if he didn't do as he was told
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in blames
to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of
hey, don't knock it until you've tried it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in blows
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
gave the door a good knock
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in misfortunes
bad luck or an example of this
getting his college degree was a six year adventure not without its share of knocks along the way
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in setbacks
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
the geneticist's reputation took a knock when several of his peers were unable to confirm his research findings
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of knocks
Yasmeen Hamadeh, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Latin social dance is a place where people leave their worries at the door, but in Chicago, fear over immigration crackdowns knocks anyway.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
When a late departure from Los Angeles or Chicago knocks a 787 off its slot to Shanghai, backups propagate through hubs and ground handling windows on the other side of the Pacific.
—Imran Khalid, Boston Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
The loss almost assuredly knocks LSU out of the College Football Playoff race and turns up the heat on head coach Brian Kelly.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
That said, Dexter’s signature burger knocks it out of the park, with two uber-beefy, coarsely ground patties and a lightly sweet and super fluffy bun, plus American cheese, thin pickle slices, red onion and dijonnaise.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025
But for anyone with an expendable budget and who values high-quality design, easy setup, and a touch of luxury under the stars, the Thule Outset knocks it out of the park.
—Erica Zazo, Outside, 14 Oct. 2025
In the novel, Laura knocks on the door, hoping to borrow mascara, and the girl in question answers the door, even lending her the mascara.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
The Gay Grim Reaper knocks at your 28-year-old door with a scythe in one hand and a tub of creatine in the other.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 10 Oct. 2025
Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Among the knocks on DeBoer after the Florida State debacle was his 2-4 road record as Alabama’s coach.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
The bunker context had knocks-on for the narrative, Pina argued.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 16 Sep. 2025
Both saber makers offer models suitable for children, which are largely, if not entirely, made of plastic, so they are designed to withstand a few knocks and bumps without causing too much damage.
—Alexander Cox, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
However, when a wealthy telecommunications CEO knocks on their door and reveals his plans to regain the public’s trust in supers, the Parrs are all in.
—Yasmeen Hamadeh, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Latin social dance is a place where people leave their worries at the door, but in Chicago, fear over immigration crackdowns knocks anyway.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
When a late departure from Los Angeles or Chicago knocks a 787 off its slot to Shanghai, backups propagate through hubs and ground handling windows on the other side of the Pacific.
—Imran Khalid, Boston Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
The loss almost assuredly knocks LSU out of the College Football Playoff race and turns up the heat on head coach Brian Kelly.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
That said, Dexter’s signature burger knocks it out of the park, with two uber-beefy, coarsely ground patties and a lightly sweet and super fluffy bun, plus American cheese, thin pickle slices, red onion and dijonnaise.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025
But for anyone with an expendable budget and who values high-quality design, easy setup, and a touch of luxury under the stars, the Thule Outset knocks it out of the park.
—Erica Zazo, Outside, 14 Oct. 2025
In the novel, Laura knocks on the door, hoping to borrow mascara, and the girl in question answers the door, even lending her the mascara.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
The Gay Grim Reaper knocks at your 28-year-old door with a scythe in one hand and a tub of creatine in the other.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
Nobody expected a year ago that the India-US economic relationship will take so many knocks—of which the HIRE Bill is another reflection.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Among the knocks on DeBoer after the Florida State debacle was his 2-4 road record as Alabama’s coach.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
The bunker context had knocks-on for the narrative, Pina argued.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 16 Sep. 2025
Both saber makers offer models suitable for children, which are largely, if not entirely, made of plastic, so they are designed to withstand a few knocks and bumps without causing too much damage.
—Alexander Cox, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocks
Verb
-
A day when the Stanley Cup years finally ride the synaptic road back to long-term memory and the brain finally bumps the past for the present.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
So many conversations about so many things and for some reason that’s what hits home.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
When a record-breaking sale of a new penthouse hits her desk, Diane’s questions about the buyer’s identity lead to what could be the story of a lifetime.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Her school blames a heartbreaking tragedy in her family.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
-
And in fact, somebody that Victor blames for the death of his beloved mother.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The groundbreaking research penetrated the last moments of the young nobleman, who suffered a terrible 26 blows.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Despite major strides in the right direction, the push for a greener future has been dealt several devastating blows from a fraught supply chain, economic headwinds and political setbacks.—
Katherine Fung,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Mistakes, misfortunes, even tragedy, toxic secrets from the past—anything can happen, or may have happened.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Oct. 2025
-
According to local belief, sending a lantern upward helps cleanse a person’s spirit and eases their misfortunes, clearing the path for good luck in the coming year.—
Sarah Buder,
AFAR Media,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The novel borrows from Englund’s experience, the setbacks and the thrills, and also draws from conversations with Dana Fares, another local professional actress who spent time in Hollywood.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Chet Holmgren, the big man who showed his immense value in their title run last season after enduring years of health setbacks, is 23.—
Sam Amick,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Scientists have always assumed that when this stellar ejecta violently slams into dense gas surrounding the dying star, known as the circumstellar medium, this generates narrow emission lines in the light or spectra seen from Type II supernovas.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Jamaica reels after Hurricane Melissa slams into the island, severely damaging roads and hospitals.—
Christian Orozco,
NBC news,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The tarp slaps the frame of the truck’s roof.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
As the scrum disperses, D’Angelo turns to you and slaps you five.—
Touré,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocks. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.
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