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

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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

Examples 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 That was certainly the case on downfield throws, which Coker had a knack for coming down more often than most. —

Joseph Person, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024 The third-year man has always had a knack for finishing near the rim, hitting a ridiculously effective 81.5% of his shots within three feet this season, and struggling mostly everywhere else. —

Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 Music writers praised Bachman for his knack at breathing new life into older styles. —

Brendan Fitzgerald, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024 From his early days charming audiences as a contestant on The X Factor to fronting the beloved Irish group Shillelagh Law, Leonard has proven himself as a versatile artist with a knack for storytelling and an undeniable stage presence. —

Spin Contributor, SPIN, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for knack

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knack

Noun

Back-to-school reality:Campus shootings rose dramatically last year Sheriff: Suspect used a 'ruse' to gain entry to the school The shooting occurred shortly after 1 p.m. local time on Wednesday, according to Honea.

Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
They were given out-of-state weather reports to help play up the ruse in their small talk with customers.

Joel Jacobs, ProPublica, 23 Dec. 2024