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
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Recent Examples of knocks
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
When cosmic rays — including, in part, plain old protons from the Sun’s solar wind — strike the Moon, the recoil from those heavy elements knocks them into an excited state.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 4 Sep. 2025
At one point, one of Bacon's throws accidentally knocks his phone camera off of its position.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
The sweetness of the cherry tomatoes knocks the flavor profile out of the park.
—Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
In the fifth, the inning the Twins scored a pair of runs on RBI knocks from Larnach and Brooks Lee.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 21 Aug. 2025
The collapsing dad then inadvertently knocks the boy out of his wheelchair.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025
Eventually, burnout knocks at the door.
—Ankur Bindal, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Happy for [Monday call-up Everson Pereira] to get in there and get a couple knocks for us.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
Alexander Cox, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Alvarez had three knocks, including an RBI double to open the scoring.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
Harrison stabs Prater with the needle and knocks the billionaire out.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
When cosmic rays — including, in part, plain old protons from the Sun’s solar wind — strike the Moon, the recoil from those heavy elements knocks them into an excited state.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 4 Sep. 2025
At one point, one of Bacon's throws accidentally knocks his phone camera off of its position.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
The sweetness of the cherry tomatoes knocks the flavor profile out of the park.
—Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
In the fifth, the inning the Twins scored a pair of runs on RBI knocks from Larnach and Brooks Lee.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 21 Aug. 2025
The collapsing dad then inadvertently knocks the boy out of his wheelchair.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025
Eventually, burnout knocks at the door.
—Ankur Bindal, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Happy for [Monday call-up Everson Pereira] to get in there and get a couple knocks for us.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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
Alvarez had three knocks, including an RBI double to open the scoring.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocks
Verb
-
Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
One owner blames the aggressive immigration enforcement near one of his restaurants.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Sep. 2025
-
And in fact, somebody that Victor blames for the death of his beloved mother.—
Gerrad Hall,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The clip runs for more than four minutes and starts with the employee, identified as Tikerra Hicks by FOX59, on the ground as a group of women surround her and rain down blows.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
The two stars again exchanged a series of blows, ended by a hurricanrana and a Code Red from Cena.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But since June 13th—also the date when the Mets’ major misfortunes began—the Yankees have had a losing record, and have tumbled out of first place.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
24 Aug. 2025
-
But as much as Nashville artists love to dissect their misfortunes in song, Monroe has gone in almost the opposite direction with her latest project.—
Nancy Kruh,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
This year has taught me that setbacks don’t define us — our comebacks do.—
Natasha Dye,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
From a business standpoint, this can translate to fewer legal and reputational setbacks.—
Vidya Plainfield,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
About 10 minutes in, viewers can see the moment the car slams into the side of the building.—
Austin Mullen,
NBC news,
19 Aug. 2025
-
On Thursday, the Mexican American rap star dropped the video, which slams Trump supporters, with Rolling Stone.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Instead, Ted slaps him in the face, twice.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Anthony thinks his fiancé wants a mother more than a partner, so Giuseppe slaps a pie into his face?—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
If your boss criticizes your work, do not argue or retreat.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
-
What the president is trying to do here is very systemic and systematic, and that is, anyone who stands up to the president, anyone who criticizes the president, anyone who says anything adverse to the president's interests gets the full weight of the federal government brought down on them.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocks. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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