knocked; knocking; knocks
1
: to strike something with a sharp blow
2
: to collide with something
4
a
: to make a pounding noise
b
: to have engine knock
5
: to find fault
1
a(1)
: to strike sharply
(2)
: to drive, force, or make by or as if by so striking
was knocked out of the campaign
b
: to set forcibly in motion with a blow
2
: to cause to collide
3
: to find fault with
always knocking those in authority
1
2
a
: a pounding noise
b
: a sharp repetitive metallic noise caused by abnormal ignition in an automobile engine
3
: a harsh and often petty criticism
the knock on him was that he couldn't handle the pressure
Synonyms
Verb
Noun
- bang
- bash
- bat
- beat
- belt
- biff
- blow
- bop
- box
- buffet
- bust
- chop
- clap
- clip
- clout
- crack
- cuff
- dab
- douse [British]
- fillip
- hack
- haymaker
- hit
- hook
- larrup [dialect]
- lash
- lick
- pelt
- pick
- plump
- poke
- pound
- punch
- rap
- slam
- slap
- slug
- smack
- smash
- sock
- spank
- stinger
- stripe
- stroke
- swat
- swipe
- switch
- thud
- thump
- thwack
- wallop
- welt
- whack
- wham
- whop
- whap
Examples of knock in a Sentence
Verb
The ball knocked him on the chin.
She knocked the glass from his hand.
He knocked the baseball over the fence.
The ball hit him in the mouth and knocked out one of his teeth.
The wind knocked him backwards.
The dog knocked against the lamp.
My knee accidentally knocked against the table.
Skaters were knocking into each other all over the ice.
I accidentally knocked my knee against the table.
Noun
He gave him a knock on the head.
There was a loud knock at the door.
She took some knocks early in her career.
He likes praise but can't stand the knocks.
Recent Examples on the Web
Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Both campaigns have been trying to finish strong with turnout operations and door knocking right up until the polls close.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Philip Eliott / Detroit, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024
That’s not a knock on Knight, but rather, is indicative of the lack of attention paid to numerous midcarders on the blue brand.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for knock 
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.
Verb
Live updates on Election Day snags:Legal fights and long, long lines
Profanities and a punch that knocked glasses off judge's face
Again, police reported, Schmidt was told to go to the back of the line.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Both campaigns have been trying to finish strong with turnout operations and door knocking right up until the polls close.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
Instead, the focus in the final push has been for those low-likelihood voters with knocks to their doors, with digital ads aimed at specific demographics, and unrelenting phone calls.
—Philip Eliott / Detroit, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024
That’s not a knock on Knight, but rather, is indicative of the lack of attention paid to numerous midcarders on the blue brand.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for knock
Articles Related to knock
Dictionary Entries Near knock
Cite this Entry
“Knock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knock. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
knock
1 of 2 verb1
a
: to strike with a sharp blow
b
: to set in motion with a sharp blow
2
: to bump against something
3
: wander sense 1
knocked about the country last summer
4
: to have engine knock
5
: to find fault with
don't knock it—there are worse jobs
knock
2 of 2 noun1
: a sharp blow
2
: a severe misfortune or hardship
3
a
: a pounding noise
heard a knock on the door
b
: a sharp rattling noise caused by abnormal ignition in an automobile engine
Medical Definition
knock
noun1
: a sharp blow
a knock to the head
2
: a sharp pounding noise
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