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 gypsy
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knock (about)
Verb
-
According to the American Emu Association, the birds — which are native to Australia — are often considered livestock, and it's usually recommended that owners have at least one acre of land for the bird to roam.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
-
This is The Wild Animal Sanctuary, where more than 450 animals brought to Colorado’s eastern plains get a second chance to roam.—
Sarah Matusek,
Christian Science Monitor,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Joy’s jazzy, smoky version of the Marvin Gaye classic, coupled with her velvety vocals, sparked another rollicking ovation led by John who was the first to stand up.—
Gail Mitchell,
Billboard,
4 Feb. 2023
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His setlist, a rollicking walk-down-memory-lane of solo hits, NKOTB favorites, standards, show tunes and cover songs, showcased his range as an entertainer, musical virtuoso and keen collaborator.—
Sonal Dutt,
Peoplemag,
23 Jan. 2023
Verb
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On Monday night, a glittering crowd stepped out to celebrate the store’s opening, before heading over to Palazzo Serbelloni to wander through its halls and take in the homewares collection.—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
10 Apr. 2025
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That means that future missions to Titan will have a rough time tracking down any solitary microbes that might be wandering about.—
David Szondy,
New Atlas,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In some cases, locations are banning unaccompanied minors and large groups of teen boys in an attempt to curb any boisterous stunts.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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While the personalities of Marchand and Tarasenko are different — Marchand more boisterous, Tarasenko more stoic — the impact each provides is similar.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
But with the wind howling in Tuesday at Rate Field, left fielder Andrew Benintendi drifted over and made the catch.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Since then it’s drifted much farther away and has dimmed considerably.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The 2025 season has brought a lively atmosphere, with a strong law enforcement presence to ensure safety.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2025
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The same subject stirred up a lively debate in the Vogue Slack channel.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Spend an afternoon strolling around downtown’s Market Square and enjoying the ample greenspace at World’s Fair Park.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2025
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Bravo’s comments about Woodley come after the pair were first spotted strolling in Paris together last month.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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After a two-year hiatus, South Park is gearing up for a raucous return, with the season 27 trailer indicating that things are about to get even crazier.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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In one memorable sequence, D’Annunzio is played by a professional guitarist who, after acting out a crucial showdown with an Italian general, provides his own raucous musical accompaniment to the aftermath.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knock (about).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knock%20%28about%29. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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