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
The Iranians have been knocking around in the United States’ critical infrastructure for years.
—
Sue Halpern, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Serve it at room temperature so the salad on top won't wilt (and the cooking is complete before the guests come knocking).
—Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 24 Apr. 2026
Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
No one knocking on the door to ask what’s for dinner.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
The 911 caller reported that a man ran up to the victim with what appeared to be a cane and struck him in the head, knocking him to the ground.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2026
The days of Boise State and Cincinnati knocking on the door of the national championship are gone (though those teams probably weren't going to win it either).
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
After the officer creates distance, Mays is seen punching him once, knocking him to the ground.
—Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
An Idaho Statesman reporter was unable to reach Ricks for comment by calling a number believed to belong to Ricks and by visiting the property several times, knocking on his door and leaving notes.
—Idaho Statesman, 16 Apr. 2026
Sue Halpern, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Serve it at room temperature so the salad on top won't wilt (and the cooking is complete before the guests come knocking).
—Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 24 Apr. 2026
Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
No one knocking on the door to ask what’s for dinner.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
The 911 caller reported that a man ran up to the victim with what appeared to be a cane and struck him in the head, knocking him to the ground.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2026
The days of Boise State and Cincinnati knocking on the door of the national championship are gone (though those teams probably weren't going to win it either).
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
After the officer creates distance, Mays is seen punching him once, knocking him to the ground.
—Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
An Idaho Statesman reporter was unable to reach Ricks for comment by calling a number believed to belong to Ricks and by visiting the property several times, knocking on his door and leaving notes.
—Idaho Statesman, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocking
Verb
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Some of the recent videos show the runners bumping into security guards and shoving past church staff, then leaving after being cornered and told to get off the property.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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Gulutzan shook things up in the middle of Game 4, bumping Thomas Harley up to the top pairing alongside Heiskanen.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That passion to play every moment to the hilt, along with her powerful hitting stroke, that came with being a coach’s daughter.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
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Horner told a false story about hitting the little girl with his van and then strangling her in a panic, according to testimony of the case’s lead investigator, Texas Ranger Job Espinoza.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But Emirati officials had threatened for years to leave, blaming Opec’s production quotas for unfairly curtailing its oil exports.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
30 Apr. 2026
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In 2013, Hall tried (and failed) to replicate the previous magic and his show was cancelled after one season, many blaming tougher competition than before.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar quickly responded on X, slamming his Ukrainian counterpart for conducting diplomacy on social media.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
28 Apr. 2026
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Trump’s remarks came hours after the first lady released a statement slamming Kimmel for the comment.—
Sydney Topf,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The flashes were caused by rocky objects smacking into the lunar surface, and the astronauts’ observations of them caused scientists in Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center to erupt in cheers.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
23 Apr. 2026
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De Kock smashed eight boundaries and seven sixes and Dhir complemented his South African teammate by smacking three fours and three sixes in the century partnership.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The changing telework fight Last year, unions regularly held large rallies opposing the return-to-office order; an anonymous group of state workers erected billboards along Interstate 80 criticizing the governor.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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While the organization hasn’t publicly said so, some have questioned whether the support is partly in retaliation against Cassidy for criticizing Kennedy’s vaccine policy agenda.—
Ali Swenson,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Jurors then heard sounds of banging and choking — and Athena screaming and crying, the Star-Telegram reports.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
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On the night he was arrested, Martinez confessed to shaking Heather and banging her head against a crib, but later recanted that confession.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The movie's December 2022 release was largely overshadowed by the aftermath of Smith slapping Chris Rock on stage at that year's Academy Awards.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
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This is simply slapping lipstick on a pig and, once again, taking no accountability.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knocking. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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