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
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Recent Examples of knocking
Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.
—
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
Sneaker waves are especially concerning, capable of knocking people off their feet, pulling them into cold ocean water, or trapping them under logs.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
The 22-year-old Duracell version of Gundogan breezed past his Germany team-mates Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira before knocking it around Sergio Ramos.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Video shows the trio standing ominously in the front yard before taking turns ringing the bell, knocking on the door and, at one point, jiggling its handle.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 17 Oct. 2025
One week after upsetting Michigan and knocking the Wolverines out of the AP Top 25, USC is again seeking great rewards.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
After being discovered, the woman shoves Lo's head into the wall, knocking her unconscious, and locks her away in a storage room deep within the yacht.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
She was later seen knocking an assailant back a few dozen feet with a simple swing of a metal tray.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
The storage cupboard is only knee-high and set at an angle with a latch to prevent it from knocking open on rolling seas.
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
Sneaker waves are especially concerning, capable of knocking people off their feet, pulling them into cold ocean water, or trapping them under logs.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
The 22-year-old Duracell version of Gundogan breezed past his Germany team-mates Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira before knocking it around Sergio Ramos.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Video shows the trio standing ominously in the front yard before taking turns ringing the bell, knocking on the door and, at one point, jiggling its handle.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 17 Oct. 2025
One week after upsetting Michigan and knocking the Wolverines out of the AP Top 25, USC is again seeking great rewards.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
After being discovered, the woman shoves Lo's head into the wall, knocking her unconscious, and locks her away in a storage room deep within the yacht.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
She was later seen knocking an assailant back a few dozen feet with a simple swing of a metal tray.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
The storage cupboard is only knee-high and set at an angle with a latch to prevent it from knocking open on rolling seas.
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocking
Verb
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The Chiefs were blown out by the Philadelphia Eagles—at one point, the score was 34–0—and Kelce was spotted on the sidelines screaming at and bumping the Chiefs’ coach, Andy Reid.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Some other popular institutions also have extended hours on certain days year-round, which allows visitors to enjoy world-class artworks without bumping elbows with others.—
Blane Bachelor,
AFAR Media,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Kurt's key takeaways Tesla's dream of a fully autonomous future keeps hitting speed bumps.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Add Miami International Airport to the list of airports that aren’t airing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s video blaming Democrats for the ongoing shutdown of the federal government.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
-
In addition, many Department of Education employees who were furloughed were surprised to see a message blaming Democrats for the government shutdown inserted into their out-of-office replies.—
NPR,
NPR,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After facing controversy for slamming the inclusion of a same-sex couple in Disney’s 2022 movie Lightyear, Snoop Dogg has changed his tune.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Stein responded on Monday to the GOP statehouse leaders' announcement by slamming them for failing voters and calling out how the state legislature has yet to pass a budget.—
Brittany Shepherd,
ABC News,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The first of 12 projects outlined in the book is a literal slapstick, the classic vaudeville tool used to imitate the sound of smacking someone with a stick.—
Michael Roberts,
Outside,
9 Oct. 2025
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Really, there’s only one character onstage who commands an audience’s attention, and that’s Hines’ gum-smacking sister-in-law, who turns from antagonist to supporter.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In a post-draft interview on the Bills’ flagship radio station WGR 550-AM, Beane lashed out at the hosts for criticizing his lack of attention to wide receiver throughout the offseason.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Delhi has been consistently prioritizing cold interests over all else—engaging with the junta in Myanmar, refraining from openly criticizing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, engaging both Iran and Israel, and getting closer toward recognizing the Taliban as Afghanistan’s official government.—
Happymon Jacob,
Time,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Gilbert, who graduated from the district’s New School For Community Service in 2008, recalled banging the rhythm on his desk as a teenager.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
10 Oct. 2025
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One of the loudest voices was 29-year-old Neil Lothamer, of Indianapolis, who added pot-banging to his chorus.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As EPs, celebrities might do anything from simply slapping their name on a poster to glad-handing for an awards campaign to getting deeply involved in production.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Violeta Santos Moura | Reuters Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused China of trying to weaken the global economy by slapping export controls on resources vital for technology.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocking. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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