KNOCKING Synonyms: 213 Similar and Opposite Words

knocking

verb

present participle of knock

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

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

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

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.

Recent Examples of knocking Those of us not actually knocking hung back in the stairwell; even so, some residents were hesitant to engage. —

Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026 In the fall, residents learn about the process through public service announcements, local media, door-knocking outreach or word of mouth. —

Celina Su, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026 The first wolf struck the stranger with a shoulder, knocking him over. —

Frank Glaser, Outdoor Life, 1 Apr. 2026 About 2 minutes and 40 seconds into the fight, Grasso drilled Barber in the head with a left hook, knocking her out. —

Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 31 Mar. 2026 Events and community engagement efforts are central to the playbook’s organizing strategy as a means of reaching voters who are skeptical of traditional cold calling and door knocking outreach. —

Alex J. Rouhandeh, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026 The Leo moon tests your ability to lighten up when unexpected pleasures come knocking. —

Usa Today, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026 Luka Doncic slammed his hand against a small television monitor in frustration after missing a layup, knocking it to the floor for an usher to recover. —

Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026 Things got worse for the Wild a few shifts later when Spurgeon foiled a Florida rush to the Minnesota net, but went down at full speed and slid hard into the goalpost, knocking the net off the moorings. —

Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocking

Verb

Then Buttered Popcorn dethroned it in 1998, bumping the cherry classic from its perch.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
The coaching staff and team members all jumped around on the sideline in celebration, with players chest bumping Mullins, and coach Dan Hurley had an interaction with a referee that went viral and brought backlash.

— Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026