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
All we were focused on was just containing him, knocking the pocket back, just trying to keep him in the pocket, and forcing the football.
—
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
No texts, no phone calls, no IMs—just walking over to their house, knocking on the door, and hanging out together?
—Kara Nesvig, Parents, 12 Sep. 2025
Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
The #Vikings have placed LB Blake Cashman (hamstring) and RB Ty Chandler (knee) on Injured Reserve, knocking them out four games.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Following a sacrifice bunt, Perdomo drove in his second run of the afternoon with a single to right, knocking Seymour out of the game in the process.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
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
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
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
No texts, no phone calls, no IMs—just walking over to their house, knocking on the door, and hanging out together?
—Kara Nesvig, Parents, 12 Sep. 2025
Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
The #Vikings have placed LB Blake Cashman (hamstring) and RB Ty Chandler (knee) on Injured Reserve, knocking them out four games.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Following a sacrifice bunt, Perdomo drove in his second run of the afternoon with a single to right, knocking Seymour out of the game in the process.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocking
Verb
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High Potential ended its first season by confirming that Morgan’s estranged ex is alive and well, thus bumping the search for Ava’s father to the top of Morgan’s priority list moving forward.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
16 Sep. 2025
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To be kind, UCLA has been bumping along for a number of years.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Smith stretched as far as his body would allow, inadvertently hitting the splits in the process.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The pattern of blaming star players, whether Cristiano Ronaldo or Marcus Rashford, is looking foolish, and the side has plummeted in form.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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Wenger was supposed to go on trial with Amiri, but just two days in, his lawyer, Nicole Lopes, insisted on a mistrial blaming her law firm and struggles with mental health.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Center fielder Lawrence Butler was the first player to score, slamming a ball into center field during his first at-bat to lead off the first inning.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The instruments detected gravitational waves, faint ripples in space-time produced by the two black holes slamming into each other.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the middle, a president who promised to put both conflicts to bed – and whose talk of a Nobel Peace Prize is smacking up against the reality of the Gaza and Ukraine wars.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
7 Sep. 2025
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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
Verb
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The reaction to Noack's viral Instagram post has been overwhelming, with many people criticizing her and her parenting style.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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The dispute also drew in renowned rabblerouser Wack 100, who defended Adam22 while criticizing Styles’ stance.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But then Lacey was back with the kids, banging around in the kitchen, and the first of the evening’s friends and acquaintances began to show up and the blessedness passed, as had the roadrunner, hyperactive and vigilant and always on the make, gone off to seek somebody else’s snakes.—
T. Coraghessan Boyle,
New Yorker,
14 Sep. 2025
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When Weimers went on to give up his remaining speaking time for a moment of silence, Vice President Katarina Barley cut him off, sparking desk-banging protests from right-wing lawmakers in the chamber.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Later that night Plumier demonstrates by swiftly slapping the limp green body of a bullfrog hard across his leg.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
9 Sep. 2025
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Tchervinski can be seen in one of videos of the incident slapping a Black man.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocking. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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