variants
also nicknacks
as in ornamentals
a small object displayed for its attractiveness or interest
a variety of pretty porcelain knickknacks adorned the mantel
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of knickknacks
Small knickknacks, like salt and pepper shakers, can be cute, but thrifting experts recommend against buying them at garage sales.
—
Heather Bien, Martha Stewart, 7 June 2026
Add a natural wood or wicker coffee table to the living room, or stack some stone knickknacks on a side table.
—Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2026
Whether antiques, cherished knickknacks, or heirlooms, items that are very delicate and/or precious to the customer are typically items house cleaners won’t want to mess with in order to cut down the risk of damaging them.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2026
Portland artist Maggie Rudy has a knack for knickknacks.
—Air Mail, 6 Dec. 2025
Among the totems, knickknacks, and ephemera in Will Shortz’s home-cum-museum, and one of his favorite items, is a copy of the 1924 book inscribed by Dick Simon and Max Schuster, sent to its source of inspiration.
—Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
Plant, half a century removed from Golden God status, even found some space to bustle the hedgerows of NPR’s knickknacks and shelves during the instrumental breaks.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2025
Out with trendy gadgets, fast fashion and clutter-creating décor or knickknacks – things that feel exciting in the moment but are quickly forgotten.
—Michael Luchs, The Conversation, 12 Nov. 2025
Read on to shop our picks for the best stocking stuffers and mini delights for this holiday season—including sweet treats, cold-weather accessories, and charming knickknacks.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 15 Oct. 2025
Heather Bien, Martha Stewart, 7 June 2026
Add a natural wood or wicker coffee table to the living room, or stack some stone knickknacks on a side table.
—Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2026
Whether antiques, cherished knickknacks, or heirlooms, items that are very delicate and/or precious to the customer are typically items house cleaners won’t want to mess with in order to cut down the risk of damaging them.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2026
Portland artist Maggie Rudy has a knack for knickknacks.
—Air Mail, 6 Dec. 2025
Among the totems, knickknacks, and ephemera in Will Shortz’s home-cum-museum, and one of his favorite items, is a copy of the 1924 book inscribed by Dick Simon and Max Schuster, sent to its source of inspiration.
—Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
Plant, half a century removed from Golden God status, even found some space to bustle the hedgerows of NPR’s knickknacks and shelves during the instrumental breaks.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2025
Out with trendy gadgets, fast fashion and clutter-creating décor or knickknacks – things that feel exciting in the moment but are quickly forgotten.
—Michael Luchs, The Conversation, 12 Nov. 2025
Read on to shop our picks for the best stocking stuffers and mini delights for this holiday season—including sweet treats, cold-weather accessories, and charming knickknacks.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knickknacks
Noun
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Many of the plants on this list can be interplanted with ornamentals in garden beds and around your patio or deck.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 June 2026
-
This substance, aptly named powdery mildew, is a common fungus that affects an array of ornamentals, vegetables, and herbs.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
31 May 2026
Noun
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There are thousands of different novelties, knick-knacks and souvenirs here.—
John Lauritsen,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
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Dollar Tree, Dollar General and Family Dollar all stock cooking tools, small appliances and storage helpers that go beyond cheap plastic novelties, and a handful are genuinely worth grabbing on your next run.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
Noun
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A lot of ornaments and tinsel on the Christmas tree.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
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But early last Saturday evening, two bullets shattered the glass between displays of Christmas ornaments and dining plates.—
Matt Viser,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
Noun
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The olive oil bottles make for great gifts and souvenirs, so pick up a few to take home with you.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
14 June 2026
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There are thousands of different novelties, knick-knacks and souvenirs here.—
John Lauritsen,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Noun
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The Patterson house is filled with children’s drawings, family memorabilia, tchotchkes, posters, plants, and a wide variety of domestic accoutrements, in an eye-catching spectrum of colors.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 June 2026
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Makes sense—after all, a vintage-loving girlie’s got to save room on the tour bus for just a couple tchotchkes to bring home from the road, right?—
Amelia Edelman,
Southern Living,
5 June 2026
Noun
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The golden script and trinkets that increasingly adorn the West Wing.—
Dan Diamond,
Washington Post,
17 June 2026
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With Larsson leading denim’s biggest trends including low-rise fits, colorful denim, micro shorts and denim decorated with charms and trinkets, the collection reflects this level of pop-star glam with standout items like red ombré flare denim and embellished denim with crystal detailing.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knickknacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knickknacks. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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