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
Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.
—
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
Sounds like big savings knocking on your doorstep.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 28 May 2026
Investigators say Poole yelled at Turner for driving too fast through the neighborhood, to which Turner allegedly violently responded, punching Poole and knocking him to the ground.
—Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
His athletic traits lived up to the hype, although his lack of play strength remained an issue, knocking him down the board a tad.
—Dane Brugler, New York Times, 26 May 2026
However, when his past comes knocking, he is forced to confront it.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 May 2026
The footmen of such regimes always come knocking on your door at around four in the morning.
—Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
Rather than follow the song title, Slayyyter herself commanded the stage by standing still and intensely singing, knocking both the song’s belt and its falsetto parts out of the park.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 20 May 2026
That has, so far, been knocking it out of the park — even transmitting an image of a cat named Taters across 19 million miles (30 million km) of space.
—Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 20 May 2026
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
Sounds like big savings knocking on your doorstep.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 28 May 2026
Investigators say Poole yelled at Turner for driving too fast through the neighborhood, to which Turner allegedly violently responded, punching Poole and knocking him to the ground.
—Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
His athletic traits lived up to the hype, although his lack of play strength remained an issue, knocking him down the board a tad.
—Dane Brugler, New York Times, 26 May 2026
However, when his past comes knocking, he is forced to confront it.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 May 2026
The footmen of such regimes always come knocking on your door at around four in the morning.
—Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
Rather than follow the song title, Slayyyter herself commanded the stage by standing still and intensely singing, knocking both the song’s belt and its falsetto parts out of the park.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 20 May 2026
That has, so far, been knocking it out of the park — even transmitting an image of a cat named Taters across 19 million miles (30 million km) of space.
—Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocking
Verb
-
This can happen in transport, on store shelves, or even when bumping around in your crisper drawer.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
23 May 2026
-
Terminus always made sure their arrival came just after nightfall when the streetlights were lit and families were sitting back with full bellies bumping against their dinner tables, houses quiet; all conversation having already been spent between forkfuls of food and hearty swallows of drink.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Jocytė finished with three points in 16 minutes, most notably calling for an isolation against Clark and hitting a 3-pointer in her face.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
Not even the bonus of a Yeremy Pino free kick hitting both posts yet somehow staying out could help Rayo respond.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Both pledge to end negotiations, blaming Petro’s approach for weakening the state and emboldening armed groups.—
Catherine Ellis,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
-
On the eve of a federal jury trial, Toyota has settled a lawsuit blaming it for the fatal carbon monoxide poisoning of an Atlanta man, the AJC’s Rosie Manins reports.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Over the past two months, Paul has accused Mortensen in court of stalking and, on one occasion, slamming her head into the dashboard of his truck.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
-
Jacob got back into the match by slamming Reigns into a post.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
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In Game 5 of the 2021 NLCS, Taylor had a game for the ages, smacking three home runs against the Atlanta Braves to help stave off elimination (for at least one more day).—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
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
Verb
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In March, Warren led the Massachusetts delegation in a letter to the State Department criticizing the administration’s lack of preparation in terms of evacuating Americans and pressing for answers on its response.—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
28 May 2026
-
The agreement was immediately challenged in Kenya’s High Court, with opponents criticizing it for unfavorable terms.—
Larry Madowo,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Verb
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The new transmission responded more quickly and reduced involuntary head banging in the car’s cabin.—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
28 May 2026
-
Levu remained hot, banging home an RBI single in the bottom of the third, cutting the deficit by a run.—
Jack Vita,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Everton’s hopes of securing a first win at Old Trafford since 2013 seemed over when midfielder Idrissa Gueye was sent off in the 13th minute for slapping team-mate Michael Keane.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
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Video from the incident shows Shields slapping Baumgardner's hand to punctuate a heated exchange.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocking. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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