1
as in to bump
to come into usually forceful contact with something
my knee knocked against the table leg when I tried to get up quickly
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2
as in to hit
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
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3
as in to blame
to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of
hey, don't knock it until you've tried it
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1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
gave the door a good knock
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2
as in misfortune
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
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3
as in setback
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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of knock
Micheline Maynard, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024
Nevertheless, people were still using hand tools to knock through sections of floors and walls, presumably still looking for hatches or doors, when NBC News visited Tuesday.
—Richard Engel, NBC News, 10 Dec. 2024
Sam Lee, The Athletic, 23 Nov. 2024
The Williamses were likely ready to retire that summer evening when there was a knock at the door.
—Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for knock 
Verb
Two water treatment plants were knocked offline, after being swept with stormwater.
—Micheline Maynard, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024
Nevertheless, people were still using hand tools to knock through sections of floors and walls, presumably still looking for hatches or doors, when NBC News visited Tuesday.
—Richard Engel, NBC News, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
But matters were made worse given several defenders played that night and picked up knocks and injuries, with Ake, Akanji and Dias basically getting run into the ground from that point onwards, ending with them missing the matches before the November international break.
—Sam Lee, The Athletic, 23 Nov. 2024
The Williamses were likely ready to retire that summer evening when there was a knock at the door.
—Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for knock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock
Verb
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One other thing to consider: If Arizona State can’t get a first-round bye, could the committee reward the Sun Devils’ six-game winning streak with something better than the 12th and final seed, bumping them ahead of Alabama, which currently holds the last at-large spot?The Athletic College Football, The Athletic, 8 Dec. 2024
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The ebike is also reported compatible with Priority's optional rack extender, which could bump the total capacity to 1,200 Wh. Priority Bicycles Elsewhere, the 6061 aluminum frame's head tube angle has been tweaked to 68-5 degrees for the promise of smoother control and enhanced stability.Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The duo hits one of the shooters as the other escapes — and Badillo ends the encounter with critical wounds, while Janko gets grazed on the arm.Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024
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Luke Grimes, who plays son Kayce Dutton to Costner’s John Dutton III in the Paramount drama series, recently spoke to Esquire about the temperature on set after Costner’s character was killed off following five seasons on the hit show.Angel Saunders, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024
Verb
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President-elect Donald Trump called for nonintervention in Syria, blaming the escalating situation on former President Barack Obama.Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Dec. 2024
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Their romance had only just been made public in 2016 and Meghan was suddenly engulfed in a storm of reporting from publications all over the world, and from the very newspapers Harry blamed for the death of his mother.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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But Manchin raced across town from a previous engagement to deliver the fatal blow, 50-49.Axios, Axios, 12 Dec. 2024
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Then, when the entire sector was down, Siemens Energy got hit with another blow.Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The latest misfortunes came in a game that might have eliminated the Tide from the Playoff.Chris Vannini, The Athletic, 23 Nov. 2024
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Alternatively, a crisis can suddenly arise from a firm’s financial misfortunes, market or supply chain disruptions, regulatory issues and other unexpected developments.Leen Kawas, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Those critics have spent several years berating and doubting her—especially following her most notable setback, in 2021, when she was suspended from the Tokyo Olympics.Essence, Essence, 10 Dec. 2024
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But by remaining below the threshold that would provoke Iranian retaliation, Israel fell short of achieving decisive setbacks against Hezbollah or Iran.Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
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That continued Sunday when Matthew Wright’s game-winning field goal banged off the left upright and through the goalposts for a 19-17 victory with no time remaining.Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 9 Dec. 2024
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Next is the strength and coordination mentioned above, which is when your little one starts holding two objects and banging them together.Alyssa Sybertz, Parents, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Last month, Trump proposed slapping a 25% tariff on imports from both Mexico and Canada, two of the United States' biggest trading partners.Scott Horsley, NPR, 15 Dec. 2024
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No final decisions on either personnel or strategy on Iran have been made official yet by Trump, including whether to slap fresh sanctions on the country, pursue diplomacy or both in order to halt their nuclear program.Trevor Hunnicutt and Steve Holland, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Knock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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