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
Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025
Gap High-Rise Cuffed Wide-Leg Jeans Gap’s denim collection always knocks it out of the park, and these cuffed wide-leg jeans are no exception.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 18 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
The loss knocks the Sooners out of the CFP field — for now — and the Tigers stay just on the outside.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 12 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
In Modena, a cooper knocks on oak to hear if the barrel will sing.
—Big Think, 9 Oct. 2025
Almost immediately after moving into their new homes, many received phone calls, e-mails, and knocks on the door offering fraudulent services for home and auto repair, prizes and sweepstakes, and financial planning.
—Madhusree Mukerjee, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2025
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
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
Gap High-Rise Cuffed Wide-Leg Jeans Gap’s denim collection always knocks it out of the park, and these cuffed wide-leg jeans are no exception.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 18 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
The loss knocks the Sooners out of the CFP field — for now — and the Tigers stay just on the outside.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 12 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
In Modena, a cooper knocks on oak to hear if the barrel will sing.
—Big Think, 9 Oct. 2025
Almost immediately after moving into their new homes, many received phone calls, e-mails, and knocks on the door offering fraudulent services for home and auto repair, prizes and sweepstakes, and financial planning.
—Madhusree Mukerjee, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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
-
This week, Megan Thee Stallion enters her lover girl era, Hayley Williams throws it back to Paramore’s After Laughter heyday with a funky love song, and Demi Lovato hits the club or her new not-that-deep studio album.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
-
New Delhi pollution hits five-year high Air pollution in New Delhi hit a five-year high this week, as Diwali fireworks combined with farming fires to shroud the city in a toxic haze.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The grieving mother blames a lack of medical care for her child’s death – although the medical team which treated her told CNN that there was no link between her death and the funding cuts.—
Rebecca Wright,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Suarez blames too many New Yorkers moving in for the inflated real-estate prices.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Combs has seen a series of blows to his legal case in the past several weeks.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Once the final frame got underway, chaos ensued as the undefeated NEPSAC programs traded blows.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 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
-
Occasional setbacks are part of the process—stay consistent and calm, and your dog will learn.—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The city of Hastings has established registration and zoning requirements for retail cannabis sales, including setbacks from parks, schools and treatment facilities, said John Hinzman, community development director.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Comedian Bill Maher suggests New York City Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani should renounce his Ugandan dual citizenship over the country’s record on LGBTQ+ rights, and slams the democratic candidate for his recent meeting with a New York Imam, also criticized for his stance on gay rights.—
The Hill,
The Hill,
27 Oct. 2025
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Once the truck begins driving straight, the beige SUV speeds up and slams into the truck’s back-left side.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As the scrum disperses, D’Angelo turns to you and slaps you five.—
Touré,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
-
By the end, only one of the assassins is alive; Brian ties him to a tree and slaps him around a bit, demanding to know who hired him.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Jenkins did not respond to an interview request, but the extent of those concerns appears to have been a memo authored by an Oakland resident who frequently criticizes the commission at public forums.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
-
To do so, the country is supporting mass infrastructure projects and the construction of stadiums, priorities that the movement heavily criticizes.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocks. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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