kneadEnglishOxford American Thesaurusknead verb 1 turn the dough onto a floured board and knead: pummel, work, pound, squeeze, wring, twist, crush, form, shape, mold, mix, blend; rare malaxate. 2 she put her hands on his shoulders and kneaded the base of his neck: massage, press, manipulate, palpate, rub, handle, stroke, feel.