knocking up

present participle of knock up, British

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 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
  • There were many mornings when my team was waking him up hammering on the wall.
    Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 28 June 2026
  • Jessica Chastain is aces as the CIA analyst devoting every waking moment to his capture, and director Kathryn Bigelow deftly depicts the cost of war and single-minded obsession.
    Kevin P. Sullivan, Entertainment Weekly, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • This transit invigorates your world of romance, pleasure, creativity and self-expression, while awakening your sense of identity, courage and personal vision.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
  • Even five to ten minutes outside shortly after waking supports the cortisol awakening response and sets your body clock for the rest of the day.
    Allison Palmer Updated June 4, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026
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

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Cite this Entry

“Knocking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocking%20up. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

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