Synonyms of knocking

knocking

verb

present participle of knock

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

• bumping
• slamming
• banging
• colliding
• smashing
• crashing
• hitting
• ramming
• thudding
• impinging
• impacting
• bashing
• striking
• swiping
• glancing
• bouncing
• scraping
• contacting
• skipping
• pushing
• brushing
• sweeping
• rebounding
• ricocheting
• touching
• landing
• kissing
• nudging
• skimming
• clunking
• caroming
• shaving
• jostling
• grazing
• pressing
• bulldozing
• muscling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• missing
• skirting

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

• hitting
• slamming
• smacking
• slapping
• banging
• punching
• pounding
• whacking
• clapping
• striking
• clipping
• swiping
• cracking
• kicking
• batting
• bashing
• thumping
• tapping
• nailing
• hammering
• pushing
• shoving
• poking
• licking
• swatting
• jabbing
• slugging
• boxing
• flicking
• thwacking
• clobbering
• bobbing
• bopping
• zapping
• socking
• rapping
• clouting
• chopping
• smiting
• bludgeoning
• bumping
• clocking
• busting
• tagging
• pasting
• stabbing
• bonking
• belting
• slogging
• walloping
• stroking
• biffing
• whaling
• beating
• pummeling
• battering
• hanging one on
• mauling
• slashing
• peppering
• pelting
• mangling
• dumping
• cuffing
• roughing
• stamping
• scuffing
• lashing
• butting
• buffeting
• jostling
• lambasting
• whipping
• prodding
• bunging
• drubbing
• kneeing
• switching
• flailing
• lacing
• creaming
• pommeling
• bunting
• sapping
• felling
• decking
• thrashing
• knocking down
• spearing
• clubbing
• bowling (down or over)
• cudgeling
• flogging
• leveling
• braining
• conking
• flooring
• sucker punching
• caning
• sledgehammering
• sledging
• skulling
• rabbit-punching
• beaning

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blaming
• criticizing
• condemning
• faulting
• denouncing
• attacking
• slamming
• kicking
• tweaking
• slagging
• scolding
• panning
• slashing
• finding fault (with)
• blasting
• complaining
• censuring
• lashing
• dispraising
• dissing
• reprehending
• coming down hard (on)
• muttering
• taking to task
• assailing
• clobbering
• whining
• admonishing
• murmuring
• moaning
• grumbling
• growling
• beefing
• skewering
• berating
• chiding
• bitching
• reprimanding
• sniping (at)
• hammering
• grousing
• griping
• quibbling
• nicking (at)
• crucifying
• upbraiding
• bellyaching
• deriding
• rebuking
• niggling
• disparaging
• belittling
• carping
• crabbing
• reproaching
• decrying
• flaying
• caviling
• castigating
• excoriating
• pillorying
• reproving
• croaking
• drubbing
• lambasting
• kvetching
• keelhauling
• fussing
• bad-mouthing
• gibbeting
• discommending
• putting down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praising
• extolling
• approving
• recommending
• endorsing
• commending
• lauding
• sanctioning

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of knocking

For the hearing impaired, select rooms feature visual fire alarms plus signals for telephone ringing and door knocking. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Political handicapping has a way of knocking people down a couple of notches. — Nathan Gonzales Cq-Roll Call, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Luong says knocking the walls down between Ampersand and Jimmy John’s for this new expansion will primarily make room for a full kitchen, but also provide some extra space for seating. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2026

During a live play, Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon blocked Vikings' linebacker Eric Wilson into Hill, knocking the referee down. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

To get the coach's side of the story, CBS News Detroit tried calling her, reaching out to her on social media, knocking on her door and writing her a letter. — Julia Avant, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Reddington went through elements of the commonwealth’s trial presentation, knocking evidence as circumstantial. — Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026

Swift is a ghost of girlfriends past haunting Johnson in the video, sleeping in bed next to her, knocking drinks over to warn her to leave her ominous partner. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026

According to court documents, a woman told police that Pace, who was her child’s father, was inside her residence when her boyfriend, Adams, arrived and began knocking loudly on the door. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026