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
Roughly 89 hours after landing in Buffalo, there Prater was knocking the game-winning, walk-off 32-yard field goal through the uprights to beat the Baltimore Ravens 41-40 in what could be the NFL’s game of the year.
—
Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Fall is officially knocking at our doors, which means last month’s linen sets and sandals just won’t cut it.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
And the Packers would love nothing more than to make an early-season statement by knocking the king from its throne.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
But controversy surrounding door-knocking pranks is nothing new.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
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, 6 Sep. 2025
Ogles’ congressional campaigns have relied significantly on door knocking and financial support from Americans for Prosperity Action, intentionally keeping a lean campaign staff while relying on the group’s support.
—Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025
Already named in more than a dozen federal and state lawsuits, Tennessee criminal prosecutors came knocking.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Fall is officially knocking at our doors, which means last month’s linen sets and sandals just won’t cut it.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
And the Packers would love nothing more than to make an early-season statement by knocking the king from its throne.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
But controversy surrounding door-knocking pranks is nothing new.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
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, 6 Sep. 2025
Ogles’ congressional campaigns have relied significantly on door knocking and financial support from Americans for Prosperity Action, intentionally keeping a lean campaign staff while relying on the group’s support.
—Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025
Already named in more than a dozen federal and state lawsuits, Tennessee criminal prosecutors came knocking.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocking
Verb
-
After previously bumping the $150 bonus offer up to $200, DraftKings Sportsbook is upping the ante even more this week by offering an instant $300 bonus offer alongside the discount of over $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Aug. 2025
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According to documents made public by the Moscow Police Department in Idaho, Kohberger already has a track record of bumping heads with his fellow inmates.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
But the Braves came back with three runs in the eighth on an RBI single from Matt Olson, a run-scoring triple from the hot-hitting Ozzie Albies and a single from Drake Baldwin.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The elaborate deception also was concealed by blaming the chaos of the pandemic as well as the Hollywood labor strikes, which roiled real production cycles during this period.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Netanyahu has repeatedly attempted to deflect responsibility for the security lapses during the attacks of October 7, 2023, blaming security chiefs instead.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Video evidence showed a trooper punching the man and slamming him to the ground during a 2021 incident.—
Tresa Baldas,
Freep.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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In the disturbing footage, Raja was seen entering the ring and picking up Smith above his head before slamming him hard on the mat.—
Natasha Dye,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Under the hot summer sun, players drip sweat after repeatedly smacking into each other during long, physical practices.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Montgomery gave the White Sox a 3-1 lead, smacking a two-run single to right field.—
Field Level Media,
Reuters,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams has peppered his reelection campaign with AI photos and videos criticizing his opponents, in some of the first indications of how the technology will be integrated into politics.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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It's believed that Sczczerek chose to share the statement from his business' social media account after the company was flooded with negative reviews criticizing his behavior.—
Chloe Mayer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Adults nearby sprinted toward the loud, banging noises.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
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The father had a massively fresh gash, from his right wrist, up across his whole hand, from banging and breaking iron and glass, to save his kinfolk.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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DraftKings, one of the biggest online sports gambling sites in Illinois, is slapping 50- or 25-cent fees on most bets.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Tchervinski can be seen in the viral video slapping one of the suspects, which his lawyer claims occurred after he had already been hit.—
,
FOXNews.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocking. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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