KNACK Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

knack

noun

ˈnak

Definition of knack next

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

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as in talent

a special and usually inborn ability a jazz musician with an incredible knack for improvisation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 David Lynch had a great knack for discovering leading-lady talent, actresses who would ascend to bigger heights. —

Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 16 Jan. 2025 Lamont has a knack for finding vibrant compositions that make use of the Los Angeles landscape, and the expressive faces of his leads. —

Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 15 Jan. 2025 With their huge channel counts, vast amounts of power and peerless knack for creating ultra-immersive three-dimensional surround sound stages from Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks, Samsung’s flagship soundbars have been firm favourites with AV fans for years now. —

John Archer, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 Linehan noted Hamper’s role evolved from being more of a blocker in the run game to being utilized as a pass-catcher on tunnel screens and intermediate throws because of his knack for finding open lanes. —

Jesse Temple, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for knack

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knack

Noun

Just a few weeks ago former contestant Rhea Mathew returned to the stage under the ruse of helping celebrate the show's 50th anniversary, only to be surprised by her boyfriend with a proposal.

— EW.com, EW.com, 24 Jan. 2025
Litton, using the name Michael Sanders, had scheduled an appointment with Feather River Adventist School principal under the ruse of enrolling his nonexistent grandson.

— Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025