1
: having or reflecting knowledge, information, or intelligence
2
a
: shrewdly and keenly alert : astute
a knowing observer
b
: indicating possession of exclusive inside knowledge or information
a knowing smile
3
4
: deliberate
knowing interference in the affairs of another
knowingly
adverb
knowingness
noun
Examples of knowing in a Sentence
Adjective
She looked at us in a knowing way.
exchanged a knowing look with her business partner during the sales presentation
Recent Examples on the Web
Helen Iatrou,
Travel + Leisure,
24 June 2026
Black comedy is among the hardest tones to nail, and if there was a single knowing wink from the actors or even a soupçon of exaggeration in the execution, the whole thing could simply become too tiresomely antic to be actually funny.
—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
18 June 2026
There is no knowing who else was turned down for this premier academic post or why.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for knowing
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Adjective
Earlier that day, during breakfast below juniper and olive trees at hotel restaurant Gli Olivastri, all-knowing maître d Claudio, who moved to Sardinia in 1989, divulged a few of his favorite swimming spots in La Maddalena.
—
Helen Iatrou,
Travel + Leisure,
24 June 2026
Black comedy is among the hardest tones to nail, and if there was a single knowing wink from the actors or even a soupçon of exaggeration in the execution, the whole thing could simply become too tiresomely antic to be actually funny.
—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Noun
The simple knowing haunts the home dweller, as eventually, all of the unseen areas have to be addressed.
—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
18 June 2026
There is no knowing who else was turned down for this premier academic post or why.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for knowing
Cite this Entry
“Knowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knowing. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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