Following the docking failure of an unmanned Russian freighter to the International Space Station, its partners are considering a temporary mothballing of the station.
Source: tatoeba (1073350)
Docking
Synonyms for "docking" (75 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (15)
Noun(10 words)
Strong matches (23)
debarkationdeep-space shipdisembarkationdisembarkmentdocking maneuverdropping anchorearth insertionferry rocketfuel shipgoing ashoreinjectioninsertionlandfalllandinglemlm
Noun(7 words)
Related words (37)
lunar excursion modulelunar modulemanned rocketmodulemoon shipmooringmultistage rocketorbitparking orbitperigeereentryretro rocketrocketshuttle rocketsoft landingspace capsulespace dockingspace rocketspacecraftspaceship
Show 1 more word
tying up
Noun(16 words)
matingmolecularmoormooragemooringrendezvousrendezvousesrendezvousingrepositionablesubtracttail amputationtail croppingtail removaltie uptying upwithhold
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: apogee, attach, attachable, attaching, attitude-control rocket.
- Sentence evidence is available for docking, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, opengloss, wordnet, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "docking".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "docking"
Keep "docking" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "docking" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "docking", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "docking" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
19 entriesanimal modification procedureanimal surgeryarrivalcomputational chemistrycomputational methoddevice interfaceengineering processinterconnectioninterface featuremaritime operationmechanical operationmolecular modelingoperationpay adjustmentperipheral connectionprocess
Showing 16 of 19 words.
More specific
26 entriesShowing 16 of 26 words.
Collocations
12 entriesdock paydockage feedocking baydocking interfacedocking mechanismdocking portdocking proceduredocking stationmolecular dockingship dockingspacecraft dockingtail docking
Inflections
5 entriesDerivations
8 entriesSample sentences
9 total sentences available.
The ship lowered its gangway after docking.
Source: tatoeba (1211030)
Neil Armstrong flew aboard Gemini 8. While in orbit, he and fellow astronaut David Scott carried out the first docking in space between two vehicles.
Source: tatoeba (3958588)
Astrobee consists of three self-contained, free flying robots and a docking station inside the International Space Station.
Source: tatoeba (8764009)
Showing 4 of 9 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "docking"?
Closest matches include apogee, attach, attachable, attaching, attitude-control rocket.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "docking"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.