19 Synonyms for Knock | Another Word for Knock (With Examples)

You know how sometimes you want to say knock but want to use a different word? Maybe you want to say tap or bang instead. These words can make your stories more fun and clear. Let's look at 19 cool synonyms for knock, and I will show you how to use them with easy examples. Ready to learn some new words? Let's go!

1. Tap

Tap means to hit something lightly and quickly. For example, "She gave the door a gentle tap before entering." When you tap, it's a soft and quick hit. People tap on phones or tables all the time. You can tap to get someone's attention without making loud noise. It's a friendly way to touch or knock. If you want to be quiet but still make a small sound, tap is the perfect word to use.

2. Strike

Strike means to hit something with force or purpose. For example, "He struck the door with his fist because he was angry." Strike is a strong word and shows power. It is used in many ways, like striking a match or striking a bell. When you strike, you hit something hard and fast. It can be a quick knock or a strong punch. Strike is useful when you want to show action or energy in your story.

3. Bang

Bang means to hit something loudly and with force. For example, "The wind made the window bang all night." Bang is a noisy hit. You can bang on a door or bang a drum. It shows that the sound is loud and maybe a little scary. People bang when they are upset or want to get attention quickly. It's a great word to show loud knocks or hits. Bang gives a sense of energy and surprise in a story.

4. Hit

Hit is a simple word that means to touch or strike something. For example, "He hit the door three times." Hit can be soft or hard, depending on the way it is done. It's a common word used for many kinds of contact. You can hit a ball, hit a wall, or hit a door. Hit is easy to understand and use. It tells about making contact with something, and it can mean a knock too.

5. Smash

Smash means to hit something very hard and break it. For example, "The boy smashed the door with a hammer." Smash is a strong and violent action. It shows that something breaks or is damaged. When you smash, it is more than just a knock. It is a big hit that changes the thing. Smash is great for stories where things break or fall apart after being hit. It makes the scene very clear and powerful.

6. Pound

Pound means to hit something many times with force. For example, "She pounded on the door until someone answered." Pound shows repeated hard knocks. It is like banging but more steady and strong. People pound when they really want attention or to show they are upset. Pound can also mean hitting something hard with a heavy tool. It's a great word to describe loud, repeated knocking.

7. Rap

Rap means to knock quickly and lightly. For example, "He rapped on the door before going inside." Rap is like tap but a little faster. It is a polite way to knock. People rap on doors when they want to ask before entering. Rap is a soft, quick sound. It's perfect for quiet knocking that still gets attention. Use rap when you want to show polite or fast knocking.

8. Whack

Whack means to hit something with force and a quick motion. For example, "He whacked the table to make a point." Whack sounds fun and a little loud. It is often used for hitting things with hands or sticks. Whack shows a strong but quick hit. It's a good word for playful or angry knocks. Whack makes your story lively and active with action.

9. Thump

Thump means to hit something with a heavy sound. For example, "She heard a thump at the door late at night." Thump shows a deep, heavy knock. It is slower than bang or whack. Thump is good to describe big or heavy things hitting. You can thump your chest or thump on a door. It's a strong and clear word for slow and heavy knocking.

10. Beat

Beat means to hit something many times in a row. For example, "They beat on the drum to start the show." Beat shows repeated knocking or hitting. It is steady and rhythmic. People beat drums or beat on doors to get attention. Beat can also mean hitting with rhythm or power. Use beat when you want to show repeated, steady knocks or hits.

11. Slap

Slap means to hit something quickly with an open hand. For example, "He slapped the table to get attention." Slap is usually soft but loud enough to hear. It's different from a punch or strike because it uses an open hand. People slap to show surprise, anger, or to get attention. Slap is a clear and easy word to show a quick, loud hit with a hand.

12. Clap

Clap means to hit your hands together to make a sound. For example, "She clapped loudly to cheer." Clap is not a knock on a door but a way to make noise with your hands. It's a happy or excited sound. People clap in shows or to say well done. Clap is a fun word for hitting, but it is different from knocking. It shows joy or approval with sound.

13. Bump

Bump means to hit something lightly by accident. For example, "He bumped the door while carrying boxes." Bump is soft and usually unplanned. It shows a small touch or hit. People bump into things or people. Bump is a gentle hit and can mean a knock too. It's a good word for light and quick touches that are not strong.

14. Smack

Smack means to hit something with a sharp sound. For example, "She smacked the table when she was upset." Smack is like slap but can be louder or harder. It shows a quick, strong hit with sound. People smack their lips or smack objects to show feeling or get attention. Smack is a clear, strong word for a quick and noisy hit.

15. Drum

Drum means to hit something many times quickly, like a drum. For example, "He drummed his fingers on the desk while waiting." Drum shows repeated soft hits. It's often a sign of waiting or impatience. People drum on tables or walls. Drum is a fun and rhythmic word for knocking many times fast. It shows a light but steady knocking sound.

16. Clip

Clip means to hit something lightly and quickly. For example, "She clipped the door with her knuckles." Clip is a soft, fast knock. It's less loud than bang or pound. Clip can also mean to cut something, but here it is a gentle hit. People clip to get attention quietly. Clip is perfect when you want to show a small, polite knock.

17. Pat

Pat means to hit something gently and softly with your hand. For example, "He patted his friend on the back." Pat is very soft and kind. It shows care or comfort. People pat pets or friends to show love or calm. Pat is not a hard knock but a soft, friendly touch. Use pat to show gentle and kind hitting or knocking.

18. Box

Box means to hit or punch lightly with a fist. For example, "They boxed each other playfully." Box is a fun word for light fighting or hitting. It's not a hard or angry hit but a small punch. People box for exercise or play. Box is great when you want to show knocking or hitting in a playful way.

19. Whomp

Whomp means to hit something with a loud, heavy sound. For example, "The tree branch whomped against the roof." Whomp is a strong and noisy knock. It sounds funny and a little surprising. People use whomp for big hits or loud knocks. It's not very common but very clear. Whomp makes your story sound fun and loud with action.

Synonym for Knock

Final Thoughts

Now you know 19 easy and fun synonyms for knock! Each word shows a different kind of hit, from soft tap to loud bang. Using these words makes your stories more interesting and clear. Try using them next time you write or talk. Have fun knocking with words!

SynonymMeaningExample
TapLight, quick hitShe gave the door a gentle tap before entering.
StrikeStrong hit with forceHe struck the door with his fist.
BangLoud, forceful hitThe wind made the window bang all night.
HitTouch or strikeHe hit the door three times.
SmashHard hit that breaksThe boy smashed the door with a hammer.
PoundRepeated hard hitsShe pounded on the door until answered.
RapQuick, light knockHe rapped on the door before entering.
WhackQuick, forceful hitHe whacked the table to make a point.
ThumpHeavy, deep knockShe heard a thump at the door late at night.
BeatRepeated knocks in rhythmThey beat on the drum to start the show.
SlapQuick hit with open handHe slapped the table to get attention.
ClapHit hands together to make soundShe clapped loudly to cheer.
BumpLight accidental hitHe bumped the door while carrying boxes.
SmackSharp, loud hitShe smacked the table when upset.
DrumRepeated soft hitsHe drummed his fingers on the desk.
ClipLight, quick knockShe clipped the door with her knuckles.
PatSoft, gentle hitHe patted his friend on the back.
BoxLight punchThey boxed each other playfully.
WhompLoud, heavy hitThe tree branch whomped against the roof.