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
• toss
• jerk
• halt
• vibrate
• wobble
• tumble
• wabble
• careen
• pitch
• seesaw
• weave
• falter
• stumble
• reel
• 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
• vibrate
• shudder
• totter
• wabble
• lurch
• waver
• quiver
• quake
• stumble
• flounder
• teeter
• toddle
• reel
• stagger
• weave
• 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
• dumfound
• thunderstrike
• take aback
• floor
• take by surprise
• surprize
• bowl over
• dumbfound
• stupefy
• astound
• flabbergast
• blow away
• shake up
• jar
• blindside
• daze
• perplex
• muddle
• disconcert
• bewilder
• befuddle
• nonplus
• knock for a loop
• dismay
• confuse
• 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

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

The plan calls for two natural rocks topped with pelican statues to be placed in La Jolla Boulevard medians next to the pedestrian crossings south of the Colima Street roundabout and north of the Camino de la Costa roundabout to welcome residents and guests to the community. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025

David Gilmour’s 2024 Luck and Strange Concerts tour was definitely one of the most memorable classic rock treks of recent years, showcasing one of the greatest guitarists of all time performing from both the Pink Floyd songbook and his own mighty solo catalog. —Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025

Adjective

Some elements can recall being cradled as a baby; many find being rocked during a massage, or bundled up in a cloth, tremendously emotional. —Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025

But after a sudden and seemingly impossible murder rocks the town, local police chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis) calls upon Blanc to unravel the logic-defying mystery. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Phrases Containing rock

• rock bottom