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
Relevance
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
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 knocks
Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Three weeks later, in early October, Kim knocks on Helen’s door.
—Sadia Shepard, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
One of the biggest knocks on him is his lack of experience.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
The first full week of 2026 promises warmth in Austin before a late-week cold front knocks temperatures back.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
And usually parents only find out their kids are involved when the FBI knocks on the door, noted Cynthia Kaiser, former deputy assistant director of the FBI’s cyber division.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 1 Jan. 2026
Those door knocks sometimes paid off.
—Lester Holt, NBC news, 19 Dec. 2025
How to respond if a stranger knocks or calls.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Dec. 2025
There, Nat knocks Jud out and kills Samson.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Dec. 2025
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
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
And then some thug comes along and knocks him over.
—Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Three weeks later, in early October, Kim knocks on Helen’s door.
—Sadia Shepard, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
One of the biggest knocks on him is his lack of experience.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
The first full week of 2026 promises warmth in Austin before a late-week cold front knocks temperatures back.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
And usually parents only find out their kids are involved when the FBI knocks on the door, noted Cynthia Kaiser, former deputy assistant director of the FBI’s cyber division.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 1 Jan. 2026
Those door knocks sometimes paid off.
—Lester Holt, NBC news, 19 Dec. 2025
How to respond if a stranger knocks or calls.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Dec. 2025
There, Nat knocks Jud out and kills Samson.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025
Noun
The story draws from Filipino urban folklore, specifically a childhood ritual involving mirrors, candles and three knocks that serves as the narrative’s foundation.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Dec. 2025
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
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
-
The 2027 Ram 1500 SRT TRX will start at $99,995, excluding a mandatory $2,595 destination fee that bumps the price to $102,590.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
1 Jan. 2026
-
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
-
Kieboom hits right-handed, which is of value to an organization short on pure right-handed hitters.—
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Then the conversation kind of just hits a lull.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hernández blames the regime for personal pain, too.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The master lawsuit in the Palisades fire blames several defendants for overgrown brush, toppled wooden power poles, natural gas explosions and a lack of water that all contributed to the mammoth blaze.—
Tony Saavedra,
Daily News,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
However, that good news comes after Johnson suffered political blows from an obstinate City Council opposition over the recent budget, on top of other losses for his progressive agenda.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Only structure can absorb blows, regenerate leadership, and sustain momentum under fire.—
Kazem Kazerounian,
Hartford Courant,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Embodying a character as evil as Stephen has made the far more relaxed White—whose real-life mother, Katey Sagal, plays his character’s troubled mother on the series—relish the character’s small misfortunes.—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
20 Jan. 2026
-
What traits, decisions, or misfortunes exceed a person’s jurisdiction?—
Rachel Vorona Cote,
The Atlantic,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After back-to-back campaigns filled with setbacks, Scott re-signed with the Panthers on a 1-year deal this offseason.—
Mike Kaye
January 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Backups Jaylon Moore and Wanya Morris suffered setbacks in subsequent weeks, pushing the Chiefs down to their last options at tackle on the depth chart.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Winter storm slams the East While Arizona's system is mostly a light-rain and mountain-snow setup, a sprawling winter storm is creating far bigger problems across the eastern half of the country.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Continue reading … 'UNACCEPTABLE' – Prominent Catholic bishop slams anti-ICE agitators who disrupted MN church service.—
,
FOXNews.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Boston Blue slaps a fresh coat of paint on Blue Bloods, the CBS procedural that ended its 14-season run last year.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Dec. 2025
-
Speaking with Cocoa Butter about her most memorable roles, Calloway revealed that the moment Ike slaps Jackie came across so emotional and raw because the stunt went wrong.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
5 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocks. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
