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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
gave the door a good knock
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 knock
Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
Again, Lofton isn’t knocking any of these players for getting their plaque in the Hall.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 22 Jan. 2025
A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2025
One random knock at the door in 2006 would lead to their house becoming part of television history.
—Gil MacIas, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for knock 
Verb
With Trump making good on his pledge to deport millions of immigrants, universities, schools, churches and hospitals across Chicago scheduled a flurry of meetings and training sessions on how to respond if federal agents come knocking on their doors.
—Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
Again, Lofton isn’t knocking any of these players for getting their plaque in the Hall.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
But then comes the final scene, when Justin’s domestic bliss is interrupted by a knock on the door.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2025
One random knock at the door in 2006 would lead to their house becoming part of television history.
—Gil MacIas, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for knock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock
Verb
-
The Mets might be better off signing Alex Bregman and bumping Mark Vientos to first base, but as currently constructed, a return to Queens for Alonso seems like the logical fit.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
-
Not to mention the helpful possibility of bumping into members of Trump’s inner circle, like Musk.—
David Jeans,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Holguin hit 4 of 7 of her 3-pointer attempts to help the Lightning finish with eight overall.—
Dan Albano,
Orange County Register,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Since the Arenado trade, McMahon has locked down the hot corner for the Rockies while hitting .243 in his career.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
And voters’ belief that its beneficiaries are complacent elitists skilled only in symbolic victory can no longer be blamed on brainwashing by right-wing media.—
Matt Brennan,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2025
-
While most economists agree that Biden was not to blame for inflation, the yearslong bout of sharp-rising prices hit Americans hard and, ultimately, cast a thick cloud over Biden’s presidency that carried through to the November election.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The order to withdraw from the Paris climate accord, which was widely expected, follows a similar move by the first Trump administration in 2017 and deals a major blow to global efforts to protect the environment.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Trump also signed an order signaling his intent to weaken tailpipe emission standards, which would be a major blow to the environment.—
Andrew J. Hawkins,
The Verge,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Unless Johnson shocks everyone and joins Pritzker et al. in telling CTU the truth, Chicago has the unprecedented misfortune of not even having a mayor representing taxpayer interests in this travesty.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Besides being unsightly, Hephaestus was lame and also had the misfortune of an unfaithful wife.—
Cody Cottier,
Discover Magazine,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Firstly, the company faced significant setbacks in its clinical trials, particularly with its rheumatoid arthritis drug, filgotinib, which failed to gain FDA approval.—
Joe Cornell,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Comets fall 7-4 to San Diego The Comets suffered a setback last week, losing 7-4 against the San Diego Sockers on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California.—
Nathan Dunn,
Kansas City Star,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Playing in his second career game, the 29-year-old Abols finished with four shots and banged a few Rangers around, too, with three hits — one of which came on Rangers giant Matt Rempe.—
Kevin Kurz,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
-
To prevent harm, always bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Newsom greeted Trump with a handshake, and the president slapped him on the back.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
25 Jan. 2025
-
President Trump has threatened to slap tariffs as high as 100% on Chinese goods if Beijing refuses to allow a sale of TikTok.—
Haleluya Hadero,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to knock
Thesaurus Entries Near knock
Cite this Entry
“Knock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share