KNOCKING UP Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

knocking up

verb

present participle of knock up, British

as in waking

to cause to stop sleeping I asked the clerk at the hotel to knock me up at 7:00 a.m.

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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 up With 200 hp worth of empty space to play with before knocking up against the 600-hp V12 Verado, Mercury is dialing up the overall output of the V10 range by adding a new 425-hp variant as the flagship of the family. — New Atlas, 12 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocking up

Verb

Other bright-light studies have measured roughly 20% to 40% higher peak cortisol in the first hour after waking when people were exposed to bright morning light versus dim conditions.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2026
The real red flag, Walker says, is persistently waking unrefreshed, even after a full night in bed.

— Gavin Escott, USA Today, 18 July 2026

Definition of waking

Verb

While the confetti settles at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and Spain etches its name further into soccer’s history books with its second men’s World Cup title, the women’s side of the game is awakening.

— Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 20 July 2026
None of these patterns are inherent strengths or weaknesses; the value comes from recognizing them and being present to what is most needed in the moment, awakening leadership.

— Catherine Bell, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of awakening

Verb

In Hocus Pocus, Dani, her older brother Max (Omri Katz) and his crush Allison (Vinessa Shaw) have to save the children of Salem, Massachusetts after accidentally awaking the witch Sanderson sisters from their 300-year slumber.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2025
Tirso Ornelas’ seventh-inning grand slam triggered a late-game awaking as Triple-A El Paso beat host Sugar Land 13-2 on Wednesday.

— Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Sep. 2025

Definition of awaking

Browse Nearby Words

knocking together

knocking up

knock off

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“Knocking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocking%20up. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of knocking up

verb

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