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
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Recent Examples of knocks
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
That might still be enough, however, to give her the edge over June’s oldest daughter Helen (Toni Collette), a flighty new age breathing instructor who lives abroad and was recently impregnated by a random Greek stranger who knocks people up for fun and money.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 11 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
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
That might still be enough, however, to give her the edge over June’s oldest daughter Helen (Toni Collette), a flighty new age breathing instructor who lives abroad and was recently impregnated by a random Greek stranger who knocks people up for fun and money.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 11 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
-
This midsize option from Bagsmart hits the sweet spot with plenty of interior and exterior pockets to keep essentials organized and accessible.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
15 Jan. 2026
-
And that, in turn, is pushing more credit card and loan accounts into delinquency, forcing borrowers to try and find the right way to respond after a collection notice appears or a new account hits their credit file.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
14 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
-
Additionally, 35 people were also treated at the scene and in hospitals for various injuries, such as lacerations, blows and scrapes, Crónica reported.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The fourth quarter was a wild one, with each team trading blows.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
What traits, decisions, or misfortunes exceed a person’s jurisdiction?—
Rachel Vorona Cote,
The Atlantic,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Adamolekun took the helm of Red Lobster in August 2024 after a series of misfortunes at the once-failing casual-dining chain.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
17 Dec. 2025
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
-
Back at the table, Stacey slams Tia for continuing to bring up the issue.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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But dropping the gloves can feel like an exasperating last act born of desperation and hopelessness - a door that slams behind you, leaves you in the dark and seldom reopens.—
Aaron Davis,
Sacbee.com,
2 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 15 Jan. 2026.
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