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
Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
He was dragged roughly 100 yards (90 meters) before he was knocked free, records show.
—Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 28 Dec. 2025
Product quality was one of the advantages for the Roomba in a flood of less expensive knock-offs, but that didn't save it from the corporate bankruptcy its maker iRobot announced earlier this week.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knock
Verb
After being knocked to the floor and missing several minutes, Morris returned and did a little bit of everything.
—Noun
While Sliwa is concerned about Mamdani’s approach to law enforcement, he is notably undisturbed by critics’ biggest knock on the rising Democratic star.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock
Verb
-
Bolstering that pair — or, even better, the second pair, and bumping down rookie Axel Sandin-Pellikka to the third — would go a long way toward solidifying the blue line.—
-
Pending toxicology test results in 180 other cases will likely bump the total up more.—
Verb
-
Iowa then got three good looks from the three-point line in the final seconds but couldn't hit the tying shot.—
-
Despite their franchise history dating back to the mid-70s (via Kansas City and Colorado), which includes essentially all of the highest-scoring era in league history, the New Jersey Devils have never had a player hit either of the game’s most basic offensive milestones.—
Verb
-
Chipotle and Cava both reported weaker sales this fall, blaming a slowdown among younger diners who are packing lunches instead.—
-
The hurricane has been blamed for 77 deaths, according to the Pan American Health Organization.—
Noun
-
Both teams scored 14 points in that final period, with Matthew Stafford’s 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Colby Parkinson the killing blow with 38 seconds left.—
-
This latest disaster will be framed by some as another blow to Minnesota's reputation.—
Noun
-
That film starring Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin had the misfortune of opening during the pandemic and going straight to VOD.—
-
Merriam-Webster defines it as the description of someone or something in a state of possibly irreversible misfortune and hardship.—
Noun
-
Backups Jaylon Moore and Wanya Morris suffered setbacks in subsequent weeks, pushing the Chiefs down to their last options at tackle on the depth chart.—
-
But just as everything falls into place, a work idea backfires, and the fallout cascades into heartbreak and career setbacks.—
Verb
-
Borregales banged home a 35-yard field to give the home team a 6-3 lead heading into halftime.—
-
Then the same crowd saw four more Panthers legends — Jake Delhomme, Muhsin Muhammad, Steve Smith and Wesley Walls — march through the tunnel and bang the drum again before the fourth period.—
Verb
-
Five players were booked during their defeat to Cameroon, including Foster, who slapped the linesman’s hand twice and screamed in his face in frustration over a decision.—
-
Mimicking what happened seven years earlier after the Dallas playoff win in Charlotte, the players ran back outside and took a lap around the stadium, slapping hands with delirious home fans.—
Cite this Entry
“Knock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share