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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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
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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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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
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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
Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
The tornado snapped a couple of large branches before whizzing north across Rockwood Road and Walkers Ferry Road, where the twister snapped more large limbs and knocked a tree down.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2025
Tim Ellis, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
The wildly inaccurate estimation of how much food should be offered knocks what would be an appealing board a few spots down the ranking.
—Kinsey Jasnoch, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for knock 
Verb
Contributor The energy crisis is knocking, and for many towns across the U.S., this reality is immediate.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
The tornado snapped a couple of large branches before whizzing north across Rockwood Road and Walkers Ferry Road, where the twister snapped more large limbs and knocked a tree down.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
However, stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane stood up to be counted in Kohli's absence, scoring 112 in the first innings and hitting the winning run in the second knock.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
The wildly inaccurate estimation of how much food should be offered knocks what would be an appealing board a few spots down the ranking.
—Kinsey Jasnoch, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for knock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock
Verb
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The common signs of vision loss include bumping into objects, difficulty finding food or toys, hesitation with jumping, anxiety, clinginess, or even aggression due to vulnerability.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
8 Jan. 2025
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The company also bumped its speaker array from four to six speakers, while the display carries over the 240Hz OLED introduced to the line last year.—
Wes Davis,
The Verge,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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While last week's snow is melting away and temperatures have slightly warmed over the past few days, cold air is expected to hit the state this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.—
Remington Miller,
arkansasonline.com,
13 Jan. 2025
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High school senior Christopher Garcia was one of three students who raised their hands when the instructor asked if they’d been hit by a vehicle while cycling.—
Sarah Macaraeg,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Finally, blaming the pharmaceutical industry for high drug costs has historically been PBMs’ go-to defense.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
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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
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Likewise, a surprise 25 basis point rate cut by the BOK at its November meeting, enacted before Yoon declared martial law in December, could have cushioned the blow.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2025
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As such, this will likely be a blow because the country accounted for 50% of global oil demand growth between 2000 and 2023, averaging an annual increase of 518,000 bpd, according to the Energy Institute's 2024 Statistical Review of World Energy.—
Gaurav Sharma,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Yeager was one of the best defensive catchers in history who had the misfortune of being a direct contemporary of the best defensive catcher in history, Johnny Bench.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2025
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Even as the misfortune mounts, the 13-2 Lions are road favorites against the 6-9 San Francisco 49ers, who have endured a harrowing injury streak of their own.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
The Athletic,
30 Dec. 2024
Noun
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That would be an uplifting start to a year that could deliver the far right setbacks rather than more victories.—
Paul Hockenos,
TIME,
9 Jan. 2025
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Red Flag Warning Will Remain Until Friday Evening As Blazes Burn More Than 2,000 Structures Google’s Gmail Upgrade—Do Not Lose Your Account Shifting The Blame Leaders often externalize responsibility for setbacks: • The market wasn’t ready.—
Victoria Vitchenco,
Forbes,
9 Jan. 2025
Verb
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When the bread banging is over, expect lots of crumbs on the ground, but do not despair.—
Catherine Garcia,
theweek,
30 Dec. 2024
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Two bodies banging against each other is great in real life, but in movies, sexuality is very much a suggestion.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA TODAY,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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With President-elect Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, the stakes for Chinese exports are likely to be higher not just into the U.S., but into countries like Mexico, which is slapping tariffs of its own on goods like textiles.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
14 Jan. 2025
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Canadian officials say that if Trump follows through with his threat of punishing tariffs, Canada would consider slapping retaliatory tariffs on American orange juice, toilets and some steel products.—
Jim Morris,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Knock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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