as in to roam
to move about from place to place aimlessly
we knocked about from town to town, looking for work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in rollicking
being rough or noisy in a high-spirited way
a knockabout game of football in the mud
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in gypsy
a person who roams about without a fixed route or destination
the book is one writer's journey of self-discovery as a restless knockabout
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of knock (about)
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2017
Adjective
Though thematically vague, thinly plotted and without a reliably sympathetic soul to cling to, the movie has a mutinous energy and an absurd, knockabout charm; even its violence is more quirky than brutal.
—Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock (about)
Verb
-
According to the American Emu Association, the birds — which are native to Australia — are often considered livestock, and it's usually recommended that owners have at least one acre of land for the bird to roam.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Fewer crowds, more room to roam, and a slower, sweeter pace—this is Pismo Beach as it was meant to be experienced. Pismo Beach on a Tuesday?—
Cliff Lewis,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Joy’s jazzy, smoky version of the Marvin Gaye classic, coupled with her velvety vocals, sparked another rollicking ovation led by John who was the first to stand up.—
Gail Mitchell,
Billboard,
4 Feb. 2023
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His setlist, a rollicking walk-down-memory-lane of solo hits, NKOTB favorites, standards, show tunes and cover songs, showcased his range as an entertainer, musical virtuoso and keen collaborator.—
Sonal Dutt,
Peoplemag,
23 Jan. 2023
Verb
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The vehicle wandered across the road far more than any already ill-handling Defender should, its brakes were weak, and gear shifts were accompanied by a prominent clunk.—
Basem Wasef,
Robb Report,
1 Apr. 2025
-
The banal village tunes that Mahler altered into sinister mock vulgarities—did these not recall the raffish klezmer bands, the wandering musicians who played at shtetl weddings?—
David Denby,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The boisterous comedian lights up the stage with sly wit and brazen confidence, conveying Moss’ righteous fury over being bottom of the office food chain.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2025
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That honor goes to the Hot Brown, a sandwich allegedly created to sustain and sober up boisterous, late-night dancing guests at Louisville’s Brown Hotel in 1926.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But with the wind howling in Tuesday at Rate Field, left fielder Andrew Benintendi drifted over and made the catch.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Since then it’s drifted much farther away and has dimmed considerably.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The 2025 season has brought a lively atmosphere, with a strong law enforcement presence to ensure safety.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2025
-
The same subject stirred up a lively debate in the Vogue Slack channel.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Bravo’s comments about Woodley come after the pair were first spotted strolling in Paris together last month.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Spend an afternoon strolling around downtown’s Market Square and enjoying the ample greenspace at World’s Fair Park.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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After a two-year hiatus, South Park is gearing up for a raucous return, with the season 27 trailer indicating that things are about to get even crazier.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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Fans seemed ready to make Sutter Health Park a raucous home atmosphere.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knock (about).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock%20%28about%29. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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