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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of knocking
Summer is knocking at the door.
—
Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
Not a dog barking or a feral cat knocking the lid off the garbage.
—Ellen Bass, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
The trooper noticed a shotgun in the van, and shortly after, the suspect allegedly drove off, knocking the trooper to the ground.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 2 May 2026
Business Insider previously obtained an internal document that described damage to one data center knocking 14 EC2 cloud server racks offline, in addition to impacting five other server racks.
—Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026
Tollinche allegedly antagonizes people on the social media platform, and neighborhood teens have recently been gathering outside his home, knocking on his door and calling him out, according to police.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 1 May 2026
The suspect, identified as Hunter Bellish, is accused of speeding at more than 50 mph, running multiple red lights and even knocking a deputy off a motorcycle, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Amil is accused of accelerating his vehicle into Spillman, knocking her onto the hood and windshield of his Mercedes.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
Not a dog barking or a feral cat knocking the lid off the garbage.
—Ellen Bass, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
The trooper noticed a shotgun in the van, and shortly after, the suspect allegedly drove off, knocking the trooper to the ground.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 2 May 2026
Business Insider previously obtained an internal document that described damage to one data center knocking 14 EC2 cloud server racks offline, in addition to impacting five other server racks.
—Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026
Tollinche allegedly antagonizes people on the social media platform, and neighborhood teens have recently been gathering outside his home, knocking on his door and calling him out, according to police.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 1 May 2026
The suspect, identified as Hunter Bellish, is accused of speeding at more than 50 mph, running multiple red lights and even knocking a deputy off a motorcycle, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Amil is accused of accelerating his vehicle into Spillman, knocking her onto the hood and windshield of his Mercedes.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocking
Verb
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The new baby is expected to enter the succession fifteenth in line to the throne, bumping those behind them back a spot.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
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People start bumping into things and take up space differently.—
Lily Hautau,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
Verb
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For any questions, ranging from recommendations for hitting the town to extra amenities needed, the lobby desk was always readily available and seemed genuinely happy to help.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
-
Valdez has received a six-game suspension and a fine for an undisclosed amount after hitting Story in the back with a 94-mph fastball with the first pitch of the at-bat, MLB announced Wednesday.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
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As the federal health department launches a plan to wean patients off antidepressants, mental health advocates and psychiatrists say blaming the United States' mental health crisis on overmedicalization and overprescription of psychiatric medications is an inaccurate portrayal of a complex problem.—
Rhitu Chatterjee,
NPR,
7 May 2026
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Like Mangione, Tamura left behind a piece of evidence for investigators to find, blaming the NFL and football for causing chronic traumatic encephalopathy.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Adam Carolla Adam Carolla has thrown his full support behind Pratt, repeatedly praising the former reality star and slamming his opponents.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
-
After that news conference, Senate Republicans held their own press briefing, slamming the proposals.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Chicago rookie Munetaka Murakami became the first player in major league history to homer in the first game of eight straight series, smacking a solo shot off Emerson Hancock (3-1) in the first.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
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Chicago rookie Munetaka Murakami became the first player in major league history to homer in the first game of eight straight series, smacking a solo shot off Emerson Hancock (3-1) in the first.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Bass defended her administration’s handling of homelessness, pointing to declining homelessness counts and the city’s Inside Safe program, while criticizing Raman’s record on police hiring and past votes against some encampment enforcement measures near schools and other sensitive sites.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
8 May 2026
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The spike in the number of homicides that Little Rock experienced following the covid-19 pandemic featured heavily in that race, with Landers criticizing Scott’s record on public safety.—
Joseph Flaherty,
Arkansas Online,
8 May 2026
Verb
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The audio recording captured the sounds of the ensuing attack, including banging, screaming, crying and choking.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
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Magic Mountain removed Revolution’s simple lap bars in 1992 and installed over-the-shoulder restraints — resulting in head-banging headaches for dismayed riders and making the coaster painfully unrideable.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Among the plaintiffs, two protesters faced minor charges that were quickly dropped—each accused of impeding a federal officer for slapping the agent’s phone from their hand—while the other two were charged with no crimes at all.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 2026
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That meant a pre-existing zero-tariff trade environment for exporters on both sides of the Atlantic was overridden, slapping new duties onto Scotch whisky and other spirits sent to America from Britain.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocking. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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