Knock — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈnäk/

Meaning & Definition of Knock

Knock (verb)

  1. to strike something with a sharp blow
  2. to collide with something
  3. bustle

Knock (noun)

  1. a sharp blow, rap, hit
  2. a severe misfortune or hardship
  3. setback, reversal

Knock (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to come into usually forceful contact with something

    "my knee knocked against the table leg when I tried to get up quickly"

    similar: bang, bash, bump, collide, crash, hit, impact, impinge, ram, slam, smash, strike, swipe, thud
    related: bounce, carom, clunk, glance, rebound, ricochet, skim, skip, contact, land, touch, brush, graze, kiss, nudge, scrape, shave, sweep, bulldoze, jostle, muscle, press, push
    near: miss, skirt

  2. 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"

    similar: bang, bash, bat, belt, biff, bludgeon, bob, bonk, bop, box, bust, clap, clip, clobber, clock, clout, crack, hammer, hit, nail, paste, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slog, slug, smack, smite, sock, strike, swat, swipe, tag, thump, thwack, wallop, whack, whale, zap, hang one on
    related: batter, beat, buffet, bung, chop, cuff, drub, lace, lambaste, lick, mangle, maul, pelt, pepper, pommel, pummel, rough, scuff, bunt, flick, stroke, tap, bump, butt, jab, jostle, kick, knee, poke, prod, push, shove, stamp, bowl (down or over), cream, deck, dump (slang), fell, floor, knock down, level, rabbit-punch, sucker punch, cane, club, cudgel, flail, flog, lash, sap, slash, sledge, sledgehammer, spear, stab, switch, thrash, whip, bean, brain, conk, skull

  3. to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of

    "hey, don't knock it until you've tried it"

    similar: blame, censure, condemn, criticize, denounce, deplore, dis (slang), dispraise, fault, pan, reprehend, slag (chiefly British), come down hard (on), find fault (with), take to task
    related: skewer, tweak, assail, attack, blast, clobber, slam, slash, nick (at), snipe (at), beef, bellyache, bitch, carp, cavil, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grouse, growl, grumble, kick, kvetch, moan, murmur, mutter, niggle, quibble, whine, admonish, chide, drub, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, reprove, berate, castigate, crucify, excoriate, flay, gibbet, hammer, keelhaul, lambaste, lash, pillory, scold, upbraid, bad-mouth, belittle, decry, deride, discommend, disparage, put down
    opposite: extol, laud, praise
    near: approve, commend, endorse, recommend, sanction

Knock (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument

    "gave the door a good knock"

    similar: 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
    related: counter, counterblow, counterpunch, counterstroke, body blow, hand, kick, knee, left, one-two, rabbit punch, right, right-hander, roundhouse, shiver, sidewinder, sucker punch, swing, uppercut, cruncher, kayo, knockdown, knockout, KO, bastinado, battering, beating, bludgeoning, clobbering, cudgeling, drubbing, hammering, lambasting, licking, pasting, pounding, pummeling, thrashing, flogging, walloping, whip, whipping

  2. 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"

    similar: adversity, ill, misadventure, mischance, misfortune, mishap, tragedy
    related: calamity, cataclysm, catastrophe, disaster, affliction, hardship, trial, tribulation, woe, distress, misery, suffering, unhappiness, defeat, failure, fizzle, nonsuccess, curse, evil, sorrow, trouble, accident, casualty, blow, body blow, disappointment, letdown, setback, circumstance, destiny, doom, fate, lot, portion
    opposite: fortune, luck, serendipity
    near: break, chance, fluke, godsend, hit, opportunity, strike, stroke, windfall, accomplishment, achievement, success

  3. 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"

    similar: lapse, reversal, reverse, setback
    related: disappointment, frustration, letdown, comedown, decline, descent, down, downfall, fall, turnabout, turnaround, recession, regression, retrogression, reversion, relapse, breakdown, collapse, crash, meltdown, ruin, undoing
    near: status quo

Related Entry: Knock (about) (verb)

Knock (about) is a different word from Knock. The synonyms below are for knock (about), not for knock.

  1. to move about from place to place aimlessly

    "we knocked about from town to town, looking for work"

    similar: bat, cruise, drift, float, gad (about), gallivant, kick around, maunder, meander, mooch, ramble, range, roam, rove, traipse, wander
    related: amble, saunter, stroll, dawdle, mope, hobo, tramp, vagabond, mill (about or around), straggle, stray

Related Entry: Knock back (verb)

Knock back is a different word from Knock. The synonyms below are for knock back, not for knock.

  1. to swallow in liquid form

    "desperately thirsty, she knocked back an entire glass of water without pausing"

    similar: belt (down), drink, gulp, guzzle, hoist, imbibe, pound (down), quaff, sip, slug (down), slurp, sup, swig, swill, toss (down or off)
    related: lap, lick, suck, consume, down, ingurgitate, kill, mouth (down), put away, nip, tipple, pledge, toast, wine

Related Entry: Knock down (verb)

Knock down is a different word from Knock. The synonyms below are for knock down, not for knock.

  1. to receive as return for effort

    "she's knocking down a good salary, but she has to work very hard"

    similar: acquire, attain, bag, bring in, capture, carry, come by, draw, earn, gain, garner, get, land, make, obtain, procure, pull down, realize, reap, secure, win
    related: clear, gross, net, accomplish, achieve, notch (up), score, accumulate, amass, rack up, catch, pick up, annex, occupy, take over, reacquire, reattain, recapture, regain, remake
    opposite: forfeit, lose
    near: accord, give, grant, pay, give up, hand over, part (with), relinquish, surrender, yield

  2. to take apart

    "right after the holidays the stores start to knock down the window displays"

    similar: break down, demount, disassemble, dismantle, dismember, dismount, strike, take down
    related: detach, disengage, break up, disaggregate, disarticulate, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, disunite, divide, separate
    opposite: assemble, construct
    near: build, erect, pitch, combine, unite

  3. to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall

    "the overexcited dog knocked the toddler down"

    similar: bowl (down or over), down, drop, fell, floor, knock over, level, mow (down), prostrate
    related: kayo, knock out, KO, overthrow, throw down, topple, bang, bash, belt, bludgeon, clobber, hammer, hit, jab, paste, poke, pound, punch, slam, slap, slog, slug, smack, smite, sock, swat, swipe, thump, thwack, wallop, whack, whale

  4. to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent

    "they'll have to knock down the price of those televisions if they expect to sell any"

    similar: abate, de-escalate, decrease, dent, deplete, diminish, downscale, downsize, drop, dwindle, ease, lessen, lower, reduce
    related: compress, condense, constrict, contract, abbreviate, abridge, clip, crop, curtail, cut, cut back, cut down, dock, nick, pare, prune, retrench, shorten, slash, trim, truncate, whittle, deflate, shrink, minimize, moderate, modify, modulate, qualify
    opposite: aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, enlarge, escalate, expand, increase, raise
    near: blow up, dilate, distend, inflate, swell, elongate, extend, lengthen, prolong, protract, add (to), complement, supplement, enhance, heighten, intensify, redouble

Related Entry: Knock-down, drag-out (adjective)

Knock-down, drag-out is a different word from Knock. The synonyms below are for knock-down, drag-out, not for knock.

  1. marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity

    "the football game was a knock-down, drag-out battle between bitter rivals"

    similar: bang-bang, blood-and-guts, convulsive, cyclonic, explosive, ferocious, fierce, furious, hammer-and-tongs, hot, paroxysmal, rabid, rough, stormy, tempestuous, tumultuous, turbulent, violent, volcanic
    related: barbarous, brutal, savage, vicious, antagonistic, hostile, aggressive, assertive, bellicose, belligerent, combative, contentious, gladiatorial, pugnacious, quarrelsome, truculent, combustible, volatile, agitated, frantic, frenzied, mad, cataclysmal, destructive, ruinous
    opposite: nonviolent, peaceable, peaceful
    near: calm, halcyon, pacific, serene, tranquil, nonbelligerent, unaggressive

Related Entry: Knock off (verb)

Knock off is a different word from Knock. The synonyms below are for knock off, not for knock.

  1. to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end

    "knock it off!"

    similar: break, break off, break up, can (slang), cease, cut off, cut out, desist (from), discontinue, drop, end, give over, halt, lay off, leave off, pack (up or in), quit, shut off, stop, have done with, put the kibosh on
    related: complete, conclude, finish, close (down), deactivate, block, blockade, dam, delay, detain, hinder, hold, hold back, impede, kibosh, obstruct, stem, call, suspend, arrest, brake, check, clamp down, rein (in), squash, squelch, stamp, stanch, stunt, suppress, turn back, pause, stay, abolish, abort, annul, demolish, destroy, dissolve, kill, ruin, scuttle, snuff
    near: carry on, continue, follow through (with), keep up, run on, advance, proceed, progress, actuate, drive, impel, propel, stir

  2. to stop doing (something) permanently

    "decided it was time to knock off telling fantastic fibs about her family background"

    similar: abandon, discontinue, drop, give up, lay off (of), pack (up or in), quit, hang it up, have done (with)
    related: break off, break up, cease, close, conclude, end, expire, finish, halt, leave off, shut off, pause, taper off, throw up, round (off or out), terminate, wind up, wrap up
    opposite: carry on, continue, keep, keep up, maintain
    near: go, run on, hang in, hang on, hold on, persevere, persist, follow through (with), renew, reopen, restart, resume, preserve, stay, begin, commence, start

  3. to take away (an amount or number) from a total

    "a proposal to knock 10 cents off the gasoline tax"

    similar: abate, deduct, subtract, take off
    related: decrease, diminish, discount, downsize, dwindle, knock down, lessen, lower, reduce, abbreviate, abridge, clip, crop, curtail, cut, cut back, cut down, dock, pare, prune, retrench, shorten, slash, trim, truncate, whittle
    opposite: add, tack (on)
    near: adjoin, annex, append, complement, supplement, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify, aggrandize, amplify, augment, beef (up), boost, compound, enlarge, escalate, expand, increase, multiply, raise

  4. to remove valuables from (a place) unlawfully

    "Bonnie and Clyde coped with the Great Depression by knocking off banks"

    similar: burglarize, burgle, knock over, rip off, rob, steal (from), take off (slang)
    related: ransack, rifle, despoil, loot, pillage, plunder, ravish, sack, spoil, strip, bleed, break in, cheat, chisel, cozen, defraud, exploit, fleece, hustle, mulct, pluck, rook, shortchange, skin, squeeze, stick, sting, swindle, hold up, mug, roll, stick up

  5. to put to death deliberately

    "various assassins have tried to knock off the dictator over the years"

    similar: assassinate, bump off, croak (slang), dispatch, do in, execute, get, ice (slang), liquidate, murder, neutralize, off (slang), put away, rub out, slay, snuff, take out, terminate, whack (slang), do away with
    related: blow away, shoot, shoot down, blot out, carry off, claim, cut down, destroy, fell, kill, smite, zap, butcher, massacre, mow (down), slaughter, annihilate, eliminate, eradicate, exterminate, wipe out
    near: animate, raise, restore, resurrect, resuscitate, revive

Related Entry: Knock out (verb)

Knock out is a different word from Knock. The synonyms below are for knock out, not for knock.

  1. to use up all the physical energy of

    "the entire staff knocked itself out getting the project finished on time"

    similar: break, burn out, bust, do in, do up, drain, exhaust, fag, fatigue, frazzle, harass, kill, outwear, tire, tucker (out), wash out, wear, wear out, weary, wear to a frazzle
    related: debilitate, enervate, enfeeble, sap, waste, weaken
    near: activate, energize, invigorate, rejuvenate, strengthen, vitalize, relax, rest, unwind

Related Entry: Knock over (verb)

Knock over is a different word from Knock. The synonyms below are for knock over, not for knock.

  1. to remove valuables from (a place) unlawfully

    "he knocked over six convenience stores before getting caught"

    similar: burglarize, burgle, knock off, rip off, rob, steal (from), take off (slang)
    related: ransack, rifle, despoil, loot, pillage, plunder, ravish, sack, spoil, strip, bleed, break in, cheat, chisel, cozen, defraud, exploit, fleece, hustle, mulct, pluck, rook, shortchange, skin, squeeze, stick, sting, swindle, hold up, mug, roll, stick up

  2. to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall

    "knocked me over trying to get out the door"

    similar: bowl (down or over), down, drop, fell, floor, knock down, level, mow (down), prostrate
    related: kayo, knock out, KO, overthrow, throw down, topple, bang, bash, belt, bludgeon, clobber, hammer, hit, jab, paste, poke, pound, punch, slam, slap, slog, slug, smack, smite, sock, swat, swipe, thump, thwack, wallop, whack, whale

Related Entry: Knock up (verb)

Knock up is a different word from Knock. The synonyms below are for knock up, not for knock.

  1. to cause to stop sleeping

    "I asked the clerk at the hotel to knock me up at 7:00 a.m."

    similar: arouse, awake, awaken, rouse, wake, waken
    related: roust, rout, raise, revive, reawaken, rewake, agitate, bestir, disturb, excite, provoke, stimulate, stir
    opposite: lull
    near: hypnotize, mesmerize

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Knock

The most common words with a similar meaning to Knock:

Slang: dis
Chiefly British: slag
British: douse
Dialect: larrup
bang, bash, bump, collide, crash, hit, impact, impinge, ram, slam, smash, strike, swipe, thud, bat, belt, biff, bludgeon, bob, bonk, bop, box, bust, clap, clip, clobber, clock, clout, crack, hammer, nail, paste, pound, punch, rap, slap, slog, slug, smack, smite

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Knock

Words with the opposite meaning of Knock:

extol, laud, praise, fortune, luck, serendipity

Related Words for Knock

bounce, carom, clunk, glance, rebound, ricochet, skim, skip, contact, land, touch, brush, graze, kiss, nudge, scrape, shave, sweep, bulldoze, jostle, muscle, press, push, batter, bung, drub, lace, lambaste, mangle, maul

Near Antonyms of Knock

miss, skirt, approve, commend, endorse, recommend, sanction, break, chance, fluke, godsend, hit, opportunity, strike, stroke, windfall, accomplishment, achievement, success, status quo

Word Forms of Knock

Inflections: knocked, knocking, knocks

Origin & Etymology of Knock

Middle English knoken, from Old English cnocian; akin to Middle High German knochen to press

First known use: before 12th centuryi

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Knock

Words & Phrases Containing Knock

knock back, knock boots, knock cold, knock dead, knock down, knock-down, drag-out, knock for a loop, knock-knee

Frequently Asked Questions about Knock

What does "Knock" mean?

"Knock" means to strike something with a sharp blow. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to strike something with a sharp blow. It has 6 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Knock"?

Other words for "Knock" include bang, bash, bump, collide, crash, hit, impact and impinge. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Knock" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Knock"?

There are 312 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Knock". Common alternatives include bang, bash, bump, collide, crash, hit, impact, impinge, ram and slam.

What is the opposite of "Knock"?

Antonyms of "Knock" include extol, laud, praise, fortune, luck and serendipity. Near antonyms include miss, skirt, approve and commend.

How do you use "Knock" in a sentence?

Examples of "Knock" in a sentence: "my knee knocked against the table leg when I tried to get up quickly"; "threatened to knock him upside the head if he didn't do as he was told"; "hey, don't knock it until you've tried it".

Is "Knock" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Knock" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Knock" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Knock" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Knock"?

"Knock" is pronounced /ˈnäk/.