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

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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

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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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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 Snap a few photos before your guide for the day, Clint Holland, comes knocking. — Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Cooper was accused of sending 20 messages and making two unanswered phone calls to his girlfriend before going to her apartment and knocking on her door, according to the arrest affidavit. — ABC News, 29 July 2026 That test is now a distant memory; HWM has since pushed to new highs on this timeframe and is knocking on $300. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 27 July 2026 The surveillance footage released by police in 2012 from the night before the murder showed a person in a hoodie and baggy pants walking up the stairs outside Chavez’s apartment and knocking on the door. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026 Jay Harry is knocking at the door Blue Jays designated hitter Sean Keys had a front-row seat for Jay Harry’s breakout season. — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 21 July 2026 Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2026 Two men and three boys, ages 15, 16 and 17, allegedly attacked a man as a group, knocking him unconscious and inflicting what were described as life-threatening injuries. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 After knocking on the door all match, France is finally on the board. — Joe Murphy, NBC news, 9 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocking

Verb

And for everyone in the F1 paddock, there is now additional clarity on plans for the second half of the season heading into the summer break, while bumping the calendar back up to a provisional 23 races.

— Luke Smith, New York Times, 26 July 2026
This can sometimes work against you, though, since bumping the front of the laptop can register as an input.

— John Loeffler, PC Magazine, 20 July 2026

Definition of bumping

Verb

The team will take a day to settle in on Tuesday before hitting the practice field for the first of 13 sessions on Wednesday.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
Jerry Kelly birdied the 72nd hole Sunday (despite hitting the ball in a greenside bunker) to account for a 2-shot margin of victory over Gogel, Darren Fichardt and Cameon Perry.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026

Definition of hitting

Verb

Heavy raindrops flew sideways, smacking against the hood of my rain jacket and creating a nearly deafening white noise.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026
With a Triple-A pitcher called up for a spot start and a utilityman smacking an early two-run homer, the Boston Red Sox, having now won eight straight games, keep winning with an unlikely formula.

— Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 12 July 2026

Definition of smacking

Verb

After the match, British politicians and fans took to social media to vent their anger, helping amplify a wave of online posts criticizing both Argentina and its national team, digital researchers said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Rather than responding to detailed questions for this story, Sarnecki issued a statement criticizing wasteful government spending.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

Definition of criticizing

Verb

The game actually drew a decent spring crowd of 10,000-12,000, partially because Chesney had worked so hard at banging the drum.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026
According to the woman’s account, Leverett was banging his head against the walls and windows the day of the shooting.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2026