as in to roam
to move about from place to place aimlessly
we knocked about from town to town, looking for work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in rollicking
being rough or noisy in a high-spirited way
a knockabout game of football in the mud
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in nomad
a person who roams about without a fixed route or destination
the book is one writer's journey of self-discovery as a restless knockabout
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of knock (about)
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2017
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
This new film is a very black comedy that is also a heist story with some bloody violence, along with a bit of knockabout slapstick and a theme of family bonds.
—Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Though thematically vague, thinly plotted and without a reliably sympathetic soul to cling to, the movie has a mutinous energy and an absurd, knockabout charm; even its violence is more quirky than brutal.
—Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2017
Noun
Seeing a knockabout comedy set outdoors is a whole different barrel of laughs.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
This new film is a very black comedy that is also a heist story with some bloody violence, along with a bit of knockabout slapstick and a theme of family bonds.
—Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock (about)
Verb
-
This particular giant roamed Southeast Asia during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 100 to 120 million years ago.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
-
The new enclosure will allow the giraffes to roam inside and outside, eliminating what used to be a long walk from the zoo’s African Savanna to their housing barn.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Murphy then appeared on stage to a rollicking standing ovation and made his way to his place at the dais toward the back of the room.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Those self-aware lyrics are paired with breezy melody and a gently rollicking rhythm, making this feel like a freewheeling summertime favorite.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Case in point is the Koala Bear, which embraces the roots of the small living movement and leans into its strength as a portable home for one or two modern nomads.—
Adam Williams
May 24,
New Atlas,
24 May 2026
-
This system is ideal for the connected nomad, designed for those who need internet access while traveling, camping, using an RV, or in temporary locations.—
Brian Westover,
PC Magazine,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At different times, this season, with its looming threat of relegation, appeared to be the consequence of that wandering focus.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
-
King Supa Dixon drowned after wandering away from his nearby home on Tuesday afternoon, after returning from school.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
Reuters — The Republican speaker of Tennessee’s House of Representatives on Tuesday stripped Democratic lawmakers of all committee assignments as punishment for their role in boisterous protests during last week’s special session on redistricting.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
-
When hearing another boisterous laugh.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Designed to naturally decay over roughly a decade, these statues impress wanderers who seek them out.—
Kristy Tolley,
Travel + Leisure,
16 May 2026
-
The cougars that make their way through Minnesota are believed to be lone wanderers from the Dakotas and Nebraska.—
Aki Nace,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The patient noted tiny gray flecks drifting across his field of vision a week ago.—
Peter Ubel,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
These jellyfish are commonly seen in the open ocean but can drift closer to shore on occasion.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
Hotel San Luis Obispo is located in the very walkable downtown, and the lobby bursts with energy on weekend evenings, thanks to its lively restaurant and bar.—
Chelsee Lowe,
Travel + Leisure,
25 May 2026
-
Caught up in a lively dialogue?—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knock (about).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock%20%28about%29. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
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