1
as in bumping
to come into usually forceful contact with something
my knee knocked against the table leg when I tried to get up quickly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hitting
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
threatened to knock him upside the head if he didn't do as he was told
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in blaming
to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of
hey, don't knock it until you've tried it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocking
Verb
-
Then there was an inactive Georgia player getting too excited on Arian Smith’s 63-yard catch and run and bumping into a side judge; Smart said normally that would result in a warning, but this Big 12 crew went for the 15-yard penalty.—
Seth Emerson,
The Athletic,
2 Jan. 2025 -
The Heat were readying to inbound a pass in the backcourt while up by four points in the final 36 seconds when Thompson and Herro began bumping each other.—
Kelly Iko,
The Athletic,
29 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
But instead of stopping, Burnett tried to drive away, hitting a tow truck in the process, police said.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2025
-
The first season of Severance was a kettle on a flame, hitting its boiling point around Episode 7, and then just boiling over for the final three episodes.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Hundreds of drones being used as part of a Saturday night aerial light show in Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando appeared to be flying into position before several started falling from the sky before slamming to the ground, according to videos posted online.—
Louis Casiano,
Fox News,
23 Dec. 2024
-
His endorsement of the AfD came alongside a video of a far-right German commentator slamming the leading candidate to become Germany’s next chancellor, the conservative Friedrich Merz.—
Laura Kelly,
The Hill,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
While most have become accustomed and perhaps even oblivious to McGregor’s online rants, openly criticizing a business partner is a little dicey.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Shiney-Ajay said Harris should have spent additional time criticizing lawmakers—like Manchin and Congressional Republicans—who limited the administration's climate goals, using it as a chance to emphasize her intent to seek greater climate victories in the future.—
Alex J. Rouhandeh,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The statement sparked outrage with GOP lawmakers, who slammed Allstate for not explicitly condemning terrorism.—
Jackson Walker,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Back at the office, Helly receives news of her resignation request - her outie denied it, condemning her to a lifetime of work.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The two have appeared to be colliding once again, this time involving the rapper Drake and arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, LeBron James.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
4 Jan. 2025
-
On York Boulevard in Los Angeles, a blurred black hole hangs on a dark wall, joined only by a pair of headphones playing looping echoes of its siblings colliding.—
Monisha Ravisetti,
Space.com,
4 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The group in the other vehicle surround Martinez between the two vehicles, with two people repeatedly punching her while a third person pulls her legs, taking her to the ground.—
Nathan Solis,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Dec. 2024
-
According to Hallman, Forrest-Stitt responded by allegedly assaulting him, punching him in the chest, hitting his mouth, and causing injuries, including a busted lip and a painful bicep injury.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Immigration advocates will host a press conference denouncing the partnership.—
Verónica Egui Brito and,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Student activists are denouncing Khalil's arrest as an attempt to use deportation to stifle free speech.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
10 Mar. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Knocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocking. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share