Synonyms of rock

rock 1 of 3

noun

slang

as in gem

a usually valuable stone cut and polished for ornament

a trophy wife with enough rocks to open her own jewelry store

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gem
• jewel
• jewelry
• gemstone
• brilliant
• bauble
• zircon
• scarab
• trinket
• cabochon
• baguette
• rhinestone
• cameo
• solitaire
• crown jewels
• bijou
• paste
• teardrop
• birthstone

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rough

rock

2 of 3

verb

ˈräk 

1

as in to sway

to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions

the boat was rocking so much that several passengers felt seasick

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sway
• lurch
• shake
• roll
• jerk
• toss
• halt
• vibrate
• wobble
• tumble
• careen
• pitch
• seesaw
• weave
• falter
• reel
• stumble
• flounder
• toddle
• totter
• stagger
• vacillate
• waddle
• hobble
• waver
• buck
• blunder
• jolt
• hitch
• undulate
• oscillate
• teeter
• wag
• dodder
• waggle

2

as in to shake

to swing unsteadily back and forth or from side to side

the drunk rocked on his heels for a moment and then fell flat on his back

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shake
• falter
• wobble
• tremble
• shudder
• totter
• vibrate
• lurch
• waver
• quiver
• quake
• stumble
• flounder
• teeter
• toddle
• reel
• weave
• stagger
• quaver
• careen

3

as in to stun

to make senseless or dizzy by a blow

she rocked the mugger with a single punch and then ran

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stun
• daze
• paralyze
• hit
• punch
• strike
• slam
• knock silly
• smack
• knock out
• slap
• rap
• pound
• knock for a loop
• bop
• bang
• belt
• sock
• hammer
• whack
• thump
• slug
• numb
• chop
• clock
• deaden
• beat
• bash
• bludgeon
• stupefy
• pummel
• knock down
• whale
• thwack
• benumb
• clobber
• batter
• smite
• clout
• buffet
• pelt
• cuff
• bonk
• maul
• paste
• swat
• bowl over
• mangle
• wallop
• bung
• drub

4

as in to surprise

to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected

the news of the mayor's sudden death rocked the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

• surprise
• stun
• shock
• amaze
• startle
• astonish
• thunderstrike
• take aback
• floor
• take by surprise
• bowl over
• dumbfound
• stupefy
• astound
• flabbergast
• blow away
• shake up
• jar
• daze
• blindside
• muddle
• bewilder
• disconcert
• confuse
• perplex
• befuddle
• nonplus
• knock for a loop
• dismay
• confound
• discomfit

rock

3 of 3

adjective

as in rocklike

Related Words

• rocklike
• adamantine
• compacted
• compressed
• substantial
• condensed
• sound
• indurated
• hardened
• resistant
• sturdy
• tempered
• stiffened
• tough
• solid
• strong
• unyielding
• rigid
• crush-proof
• inelastic
• unbending
• case-hardened
• inflexible
• stiff
• tense
• firm
• hard

Dissimilar Words

• soft
• spongy
• mushy
• flabby
• squishy
• pulpy
• fleshy
• squashy
• doughy
• squooshy
• floppy
• slack
• limp
• flaccid
• yielding
• lank
• droopy

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rock different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rock are agitate, convulse, and shake. While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

When could agitate be used to replace rock?

The synonyms agitate and rock are sometimes interchangeable, but agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

Where would convulse be a reasonable alternative to rock?

In some situations, the words convulse and rock are roughly equivalent. However, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

When is it sensible to use shake instead of rock?

The meanings of shake and rock largely overlap; however, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rock

Noun

The rock band Disturbed took the stage at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood on Saturday, July 25, 2026. — Michele Eve Sandberg, Sun Sentinel, 26 July 2026

In February, a San Diego city park ranger guided a family of tourists away from the sea lions at La Jolla Cove after witnesses reported children in the group were throwing sand and rocks at the animals, according to NBC San Diego. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 26 July 2026

Verb

The former tally is built with the same type of activity, but includes music from every genre, rather than limiting eligibility to rock. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

For this method, step on the shovel to drive the blade beneath the root system, then gently rock the handle back and forth to loosen the weed and lift up to pull it out of the soil. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 25 July 2026

Adjective

As the quartet builds toward a post-rock crescendo and a wistful, snowcapped outro that’s lightly accompanied by the sound of children on a playground, Kinsella and his bandmates spin the narrative in a kaleidoscopic language all their own. — Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 4 May 2026

An old soul with with a huge, commanding voice, his catalog hovers between the orchestral swoon of pre-rock ballads, the pristine melodies of Anita Baker and the rangy, resilient yearning of his hometown’s soul tradition. — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026

Phrases Containing rock

• rock bottom