knock 1 of 2

1
2
3

knock

2 of 2

noun

1
2
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
Verb
This year, Sprite knocked Pepsi out of the top three spots on the list. Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 May 2025 As Gilgeous-Alexander picked up the ball to attempt a pass, Gobert knocked it away, picked it up and went down the floor in transition. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 25 May 2025
Noun
Officers responded to the apartment but left when their knocks went unanswered, the newspaper reported. Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2025 Suryavanshi's historic knock came at a critical point in the Rajasthan Royals' campaign. Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for knock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock
Verb
  • Highlights include two standout school sequences: one involving a bloody volleyball game, the other a swimming class in which Alpha bumps her head badly and clears the water like the shark in Jaws.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2025
  • Larson crashed during a practice session at Indianapolis, as his No. 17 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet spun out and bumped into the wall.
    Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • The Reds are hitting .267/.348/.406 with a lead, .237/.311/.405 when tied and .223/.295/.369 when behind.
    C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 26 May 2025
  • That's because the bill also includes a $4 trillion increase in the debt ceiling, a measure that must be approved in order to prevent a catastrophic default on the country's debt that could hit sometime in August.
    Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • India blamed Pakistan for the attack, an accusation rejected by Islamabad.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
  • Man sentenced for threatening officials DENVER -- A man who blamed exposure to far-right extremist content for his online threats to kill Democratic election officials in Colorado and Arizona was sentenced to three years in prison Thursday.
    Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • In the rear of an IndyCar vehicle is a safety device called an attenuator, designed to cushion the blow from a rear impact into the wall.
    Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • The lawyers claim the measure signed into law by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis this month has already dealt significant blows to campaigns to expand Medicaid and legalize recreational marijuana in the state.
    Kate Payne, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • Despite the simple words and soft pastel illustrations, the similarities between Sarah's real-life drama and the misfortunes that befall the cute, innocent forest animals are undeniable.
    Maureen Maher, CBS News, 23 May 2025
  • Aniston plays Tory, who has the misfortune of finding herself in his sights.
    Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • Yet Vardy took his early setbacks and used them to become one of the most resilient players in history.
    Ciarán McArdle, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • By all accounts, there has been no setback in his return from the elbow inflammation that has sidelined him since mid-March.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • His go-to move was banging pots and pans while walking through the house singing circus music and calling everyone else in the house a meatball.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 20 May 2025
  • The most eventful, and scary, moment came midway through the half, when Chucky Lozano banged heads with Sporting KC midfield Manu Garcia chasing a high clearance from the box.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • Five months after passing an ordinance to ban smoking in parks, the city of Fort Lauderdale finally slapped stickers on existing signs about this prohibition that do not get people’s attention.
    John Michael Pierobon, Sun Sentinel, 25 May 2025
  • Over the course of two days, groups got the chance to see 21 humpback whales feed and raise their pectoral fin before slapping it against the water, along with 15 Risso’s dolphins, the group said.
    Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Knock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on knock

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!