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 But oh, those turnovers This year’s Rangers team does have a knack for finding new and different ways of breaking down in its own end. —Arthur Staple, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025 Kane has a magic knack for turning slight openings into goals, as Tuchel knows as well as anyone. —Jack Pitt-Brooke, 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 The story drew on private recordings of a series of speeches given in 2023 and 2024 by Russell Vought obtained by our colleagues at Documented, a news site with a remarkable knack for uncovering information powerful interests would prefer remained secret. —Stephen Engelberg, ProPublica, 20 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
  • Richie buys Harry's ruse regarding Tommy's murder, but there's a catch.
    — Matt Cabral, EW.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The wedding started as an elaborate three-way ruse concocted by Wai-Tung, a gay Taiwanese American man; his white boyfriend, Simon (Mitchell Lichtenstein); and Wei-Wei, an undocumented Chinese immigrant.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of ruse
Noun
  • And while there’s some individual talent throughout the roster, the team hasn’t won anything with this core.
    — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Still, she's come to terms with the fact that given her talent and aspirations, fame—and selfies—are always going to be part of the job.
    — Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of talent
Noun
  • The company, which sells hot and iced coffee, tea, shakes, as well as burritos and tacos, also hosts classes to teach dogs tricks.
    — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Dimbleby’s age, far from a liability, feels like a magic trick—rare is the podcast host in 2025 who can casually weave socioeconomics together with personal memories of the Second World War.
    — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of trick
Noun
  • Because some teams, roles and individuals may have natural aptitudes for different setups.
    — Eric Hutto, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • And that team happens to desperately need a player like Luka, with not just great basketball aptitude but with presence and personality – star power!
    — Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of aptitude
Noun
  • Nearly 30 years ago California legislators faced a test of their integrity in voting for an electricity deregulation scheme that ratepayers are still paying for.
    — Jamie Court, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Minnesota Vikings Needs: RB, D-line, CB, S Ole Miss CB Trey Amos: Amos has good instincts around the ball and the press coverage skills needed to fit Brian Flores’ defensive scheme, which places cornerbacks on an island most of the time. 25.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of scheme
Noun
  • Wendy's has introduced a new menu item with Southern flair: the Cajun Crunch Chicken Sandwich.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Kinnear plays The Warden, the boss at Camp Yucca, with a flair for manipulation and getting the upper hand on his campers.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of flair
Noun
  • On Easter Sunday, this paper contained an editorial that employed the same literary device: It was penned by an angel.
    — Gwen Faulkenberry, Arkansas Online, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Plus, flash drives can be used to spread malware to other devices.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of device
Noun
  • Absent legislative action, the estate and gift tax exemption will revert to approximately $7 million per person in 2026 (down from nearly $14 million in 2025).
    — Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Officials cannot use funds to contribute to or support nonprofit organizations, for political activities or gifts of public funds.
    — Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 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 30 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 You Always Have to Look Up

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

Words You Always Have to Look Up

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
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
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All