knack

noun

ˈnak How to pronounce knack (audio)
Definition of knacknext
1
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end tried every knack I knew to get him to spill the beans

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in talent
a special and usually inborn ability a jazz musician with an incredible knack for improvisation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun knack differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of knack are aptitude, bent, faculty, genius, gift, and talent. While all these words mean "a special ability for doing something," knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance.

the knack of getting along

When can aptitude be used instead of knack?

While in some cases nearly identical to knack, aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it.

a mechanical aptitude

How do bent and aptitude relate to one another, in the sense of knack?

Bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability.

a family with an artistic bent

Where would faculty be a reasonable alternative to knack?

In some situations, the words faculty and knack are roughly equivalent. However, faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function.

a faculty for remembering names

In what contexts can genius take the place of knack?

Although the words genius and knack have much in common, genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability.

has no great genius for poetry

When is it sensible to use gift instead of knack?

The synonyms gift and knack are sometimes interchangeable, but gift often implies special favor by God or nature.

the gift of singing beautifully

When could talent be used to replace knack?

The words talent and knack can be used in similar contexts, but talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed.

has enough talent to succeed

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 knack In matches like these where opportunities are at a premium, the opening goal becomes all the more decisive — and Forest have developed a knack for striking first, scoring the opener in 24 of their 30 league matches, more than any other side in 2024-25. —Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025 Strelow, who is weighing college options that could include baseball or wrestling, has a knack for making things happen. —Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025 Even so, Australia has a knack for coming out of a ho-hum kind of day nicely, and the team is in second place, three points back from Canada. —Andrew Rice, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025 The 17-year-old, who goes by Chris, has a knack for electronic systems and computers. —The Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for knack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knack
  1. ruse
  2. talent
  3. trick
  4. aptitude
  5. scheme
  6. flair
  7. device
  8. gift
Noun
  • This is, of course, a ruse to put Rick in the same room with Jim, who, according to his mother on her deathbed, killed his do-gooder dad.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Frank This character doing all the heavy lifting to keep Rick’s ruse afloat and Sam Rockwell doing all the heavy lifting to keep this plot interesting: Thank you for your service, gentlemen.
    — Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of ruse
Noun
  • Jennie is the latest talent from the K-pop outfit to manage a special feat on the American rankings this week.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Royals starter Kris Bubic continues to marvel at his teammate’s elite talent on the field.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of talent
Noun
  • If not, there will be a new game released tomorrow with another chance to guess the categories, and Newsweek will be back with more tips and tricks to help you along!
    — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
  • What Dangerous or Tricky People Might Do Ruda says kids should recognize common tricks that dangerous or tricky person might use to catch them off guard.
    — Sherri Gordon, Parents, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of trick
Noun
  • His and Hubbard's distinct approaches underscore the region’s aptitude for versatility.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2025
  • According to the archaeologists, the transition from stone to bone was a feat of abstract thinking, requiring an aptitude in toolmaking and an appreciation that the knapping techniques that worked on one material would also work on another.
    — Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of aptitude
Noun
  • Detectives arrested a man accused in a lottery ticket stealing scheme that netted him and a partner thousands of dollars in winnings, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The scheme is further complicated because Tom Buchanan is cheating on Daisy.
    — Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of scheme
Noun
  • For spring and summer styling, pair this versatile piece with a black or navy dress to maintain professionalism while adding contemporary flair.
    — Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • With Shondaland’s signature flair and Paul William Davies’ sharp script, the show moves fast, keeps you guessing, and lets its ensemble shine without ever losing its center.
    — Okla Jones, Essence, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of flair
Noun
  • The overhaul also will bring changes to the agency that scrutinizes the safety of prescription drugs, food and medical devices.
    — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
  • While that sounds obscure, the team’s work is foundational for advanced technological research in areas like computer chip manufacturing and medical diagnostic devices.
    — Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of device
Noun
  • Be Forward-Looking If feedback is such a gift, why do most of us hate receiving it as well as giving it?
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The wines aren’t really exported, either, so a bottle carried carefully back to the USA makes a welcome gift.
    — Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of gift

Browse Nearby Words

klutzy
knack
knackered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Knack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knack. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on knack

Nglish: Translation of knack for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All