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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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
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
as in rocklike
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of rock
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 9 Sep. 2025
Today the band continues to push creative boundaries with their broad sonic palette and through collaborations with a diverse array of Korean artists, from K-pop stars like IU and Stray Kids to the experimental post-rock group Jambinai.
—Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
The chairs inside the diner rock slightly, inviting the customer to ease in and relax.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 29 Oct. 2025
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2025
Evan Thompson, Principal Director at the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, told the local Jamaica Observer that Melissa could be worse than previous storms that rocked the island, including Hurricane Gilbert and Hurricane Beryl, which devastated Jamaica in 1988 and 2024 respectively.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rock
Noun
Chicago post-rock staples Tortoise are back with their first new album in nine years.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 9 Sep. 2025
Today the band continues to push creative boundaries with their broad sonic palette and through collaborations with a diverse array of Korean artists, from K-pop stars like IU and Stray Kids to the experimental post-rock group Jambinai.
—Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
Other artifacts like moon rocks and belongings of Armstrong and Michael Collins were also on display.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
The chairs inside the diner rock slightly, inviting the customer to ease in and relax.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
While Kevin started out pop rocking with his younger brothers Nick and Joe in 2005, the group’s members began to venture out by 2011, with Joe releasing his debut solo album, Fastlife, and Nick hitting the road with his side project, Nick Jonas & the Administration, that year.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2025
Evan Thompson, Principal Director at the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, told the local Jamaica Observer that Melissa could be worse than previous storms that rocked the island, including Hurricane Gilbert and Hurricane Beryl, which devastated Jamaica in 1988 and 2024 respectively.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rock
Noun
-
However, this humble pantry gem has a wealth of other uses that can make life a little easier outside both the kitchen and your cleaning caddy.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Their new trend report breaks down destinations gaining the most buzz – and a few American getaways cracked the list of international gems.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Both campaigns are intensifying efforts to sway undecided voters and mobilize their bases.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Narrative warfare sways public sentiment long before a bullet is fired.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The earthquake shook at a depth of just 4 miles, with its epicenter roughly 9 miles west of Johannesburg.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Nearly two years later, there’s still evidence at the crime scene that shook this small island country — ash on jutting rocks, melted scraps of plastic and fabric scattered in the verdant shrubbery where wild dogs stalk giant lizards.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But Miles stunned the country by entering the transfer portal and eventually landing at TCU, a few weeks after the Horned Frogs eliminated Notre Dame in the Sweet 16.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Joined by real-life magician Noah Levine, the star stunned fans with card tricks and a special surprise.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Boozman was not surprised by the lawsuit.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Oct. 2025
-
In a video recently posted on the Hobbiton Movie Set TikTok account, the happy couple is seen being surprised by the 44-year-old star, who was dressed casually in a windbreaker and a pair of jeans.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Its influence ricocheted through decades of homages, from Madonna to Ryan Gosling, proof that a perfect jewel-box tableau never dulls.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The actor, who portrayed dapper casino thief Danny Ocean in Ocean's Eleven and its sequels, reflected on the audacious burglary in which a group of thieves stole more than $100 million worth of historic jewels from Paris' foremost museum on Sunday.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of taking a low profile and playing down any claims to Taiwan’s independent status like his more cautious DPP predecessor Tsai Ying-wen, Lai has lurched toward formal independence with a succession of speeches making the case for Taiwanese nationhood.—
Lyle Goldstein,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The mood is lurching between calm and doom-mongering chaos.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When her movie career as an adult faltered, Lockhart shifted to television, appearing in live drama from New York and game and talk shows.—
NPR,
NPR,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Her certainty falters as the light from the mothership dims, the last traces of the hive connection dying above them.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rock. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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