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 And the defense module can neutralize them via electronics-frying HPM emissions, knocking satellites out without creating a cloud of space debris. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2026 For Lynn Parsons, knocking on a stranger’s door once made the difference between getting home and watching her car get towed away. — Razak Diallo, Baltimore Sun, 23 Aug. 2026 Moments later, Aghahowa intercepted a pass and Reseda was knocking on the door again. — Felipe Gamino, Daily News, 22 Aug. 2026 On the second snap from scrimmage, former Lion Amik Robertson sacked Dobbs at the Detroit 18, knocking the ball loose. — CBS News, 22 Aug. 2026 Brands such as Fendi, Pandora, Lush, and Glossier soon came knocking. — Kati Chitrakorn, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026 There’s nobody else currently knocking on the door, although academy staff believe there are youngsters in the pipeline who will ensure that a local heartbeat returns to the side further down the line. — James Pearce, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Now the Department of Justice is knocking on the door, and Walter is scrambling to unwind deals and pay back billions before the feds bring the hammer down. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026 Near the end, police said Ayres appeared to grab Dunn by the hair and punch her in the face, knocking her down. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knocking

Verb

Against this stripped down but still bumping backdrop, Christmas and Crack’s loose, witty braggadocio shines.

— Brendan Hay, SPIN, 24 Aug. 2026
In June, Luna hopped clumsily from one branch to another, bumping Sandy off her perch and sending her to a branch below.

— Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of bumping

Verb

Cook will be remembered for making the iPhone feel essential to everything from buying a coffee to listening to music, hitting the gym or paying a credit card bill.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
Crow-Armstrong’s 38 blasts are tied with Kyle Schwarber (2019) for second-most by a left-handed-hitting Cub.

— Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of hitting

Verb

Meanwhile, Talarico is barnstorming the state, slamming Republicans mostly on kitchen table issues like stubborn inflation and the price of gas that has skyrocketed due to Trump’s war with Iran.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026
There was little time for anyone to flee as flash floods decimated villages, slamming into houses, roads, bridges and power plants.

— Megan De Mar, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of slamming

Verb

Carrington was ejected from the game in the first half after smacking Cunningham across the face during Cunningham's layup attempt.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Catcher Daniel Susac followed up Wednesday’s two-home-run game by smacking a two-run shot, and the Giants bullpen didn’t break down while protecting a 4-1 victory.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of smacking

Verb

Republican lawmaker Carl DeMaio of San Diego has vocalized his opposition in discussions of the bill, criticizing the idea of providing funding to outlets that make political endorsements.

— Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Yiannopoulos rose to prominence through his provocative statements criticizing political correctness, feminism and Islam.

— Chris Arnold, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticizing

Verb

At the weigh-ins and face-off for the IBF heavyweight championship fight, Itauma shoved Hrgovic off the stage and the latter retaliated by slapping the former's face.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Already, Skubal’s joining in on pregame handshake lines and slapping the dugout railing in time to Roki Sasaki’s warm-up music.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026