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
Unlike the recently popular minimalist styles, real home decorating reflects memories, travel, and family—knickknacks, photographs, souvenirs, and heirlooms are embraced and incorporated.
—
Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 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
With six tiers and two extra shelves at the base, there’s room to show off your favorite reads, plus a plant or a couple knickknacks.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 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
With six tiers and two extra shelves at the base, there’s room to show off your favorite reads, plus a plant or a couple knickknacks.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knickknacks
Noun
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Mix edible plants with ornamentals There’s no rule that says your decorative containers can’t also be productive.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
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While there are more than 50 species of junipers, less than a dozen are grown as ornamentals.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Standing up to roughly 6 feet tall and weighing up to approximately 450 pounds, these aren’t background novelties.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
23 Apr. 2026
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Other novelties include indigo, gray and beige coatings and a gray coating on a black base, and a new construction with dark and light indigo rope dye.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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During the service, it is presented along with a number of spiritual ornaments, including the sovereign's orb and several swords, per the Royal Collection Trust.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
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Hallmark went live on social media Friday from its Kansas City headquarters, featuring employees who helped create the ornaments.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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From there, walk Nakamise Street for street snacks and souvenirs.—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
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The mint julep became the event’s official drink in 1939, when racetrack managers began selling the glasses the drinks were served in as souvenirs.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This means items like family photos, personal mementos and memorabilia, tchotchkes, and taste-and hobby-specific items should be packed away, Beauchamp says.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
27 Apr. 2026
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There are no tchotchkes, nothing superfluous.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Plastic trinkets and graffiti, television sets and bumper stickers, road signs and wigs—many might describe these items as disposable culture, signs of America’s crass habit of regarding anything as art.—
Hua Hsu,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
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Piling up trinkets and artwork creates a lot of visual noise, which can actually hide your home’s best features.—
Natasha Bazika,
Martha Stewart,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knickknacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knickknacks. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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