KNACK Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'knack' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of knack are aptitude , bent , faculty , genius , gift , and talent . While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance. // the knack of getting along

Q: When can 'aptitude' be used instead of 'knack'?

While in some cases nearly identical to knack , aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it. // a mechanical aptitude

Q: How do 'bent' and 'aptitude' relate to one another, in the sense of 'knack'?

Bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability. // a family with an artistic bent

Q: Where would 'faculty' be a reasonable alternative to 'knack'?

In some situations, the words faculty and knack are roughly equivalent. However, faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function. // a faculty for remembering names

Q: In what contexts can 'genius' take the place of 'knack'?

Although the words genius and knack have much in common, genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability. // has no great genius for poetry

Q: When is it sensible to use 'gift' instead of 'knack'?

The synonyms gift and knack are sometimes interchangeable, but gift often implies special favor by God or nature. // the gift of singing beautifully

Q: When could 'talent' be used to replace 'knack'?

The words talent and knack can be used in similar contexts, but talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed. // has enough talent to succeed

knack

noun

ˈnak

Definition of knack next

as in ruse

a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end tried every knack I knew to get him to spill the beans

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in talent

a special and usually inborn ability a jazz musician with an incredible knack for improvisation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the noun knack differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of knack are aptitude, bent, faculty, genius, gift, and talent. While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance.

the knack of getting along

When can aptitude be used instead of knack?

While in some cases nearly identical to knack, aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it.

a mechanical aptitude

How do bent and aptitude relate to one another, in the sense of knack?

Bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability.

a family with an artistic bent

Where would faculty be a reasonable alternative to knack?

In some situations, the words faculty and knack are roughly equivalent. However, faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function.

a faculty for remembering names

In what contexts can genius take the place of knack?

Although the words genius and knack have much in common, genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability.

has no great genius for poetry

When is it sensible to use gift instead of knack?

The synonyms gift and knack are sometimes interchangeable, but gift often implies special favor by God or nature.

the gift of singing beautifully

When could talent be used to replace knack?

The words talent and knack can be used in similar contexts, but talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed.

has enough talent to succeed

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 knack The book touches on all aspects of the battle for our attention, but much of it is about how Big Tech has taken advantage of unfettered capitalism, human nature and a knack for seductive algorithms to reap huge profits while warping our society in ways. —

Stuart Miller, Orange County Register, 3 Feb. 2025 In keeping with Harry & David's knack for food gifts, many of their bouquets come with delicious treats like fruit, cookies, and sparkling wine (21+, please!). —

Annie Blackman, Allure, 1 Feb. 2025 Art can have a knack for turning two deeply feeling and thinking creative collaborators into lovers. —

Tomris Laffly, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025 He’s developed a fine knack for being able to stay in the moment and much of his focus right now is on the basketball court where the No. 10 Falcons are 11-0 on the season going into Wednesday’s game against Perry Hall. —

Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for knack

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knack

Noun

Matty, for her part, isn’t worried about getting in any real trouble if her ruse is uncovered.

— Noel Murray, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025
But some of the writers fell for the alleged ruse, which eventually involved the literary agent from a company called PageTurner Press & Media asking for advance payments for services such as book insurance, hiring editors to help update the book or hiring publicists to promote it.

— Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025